Daily Thrifty Tips - August 19, 2006

Hello,

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. We are working on remodelling my bathroom today. We had so many requests submitted yesterday that we are doing a weekend issue so we don't get too far behind publishing them. We also have some frugal entertainment tips to share and an article by Kelly Ann Butterbaugh title "Four More Things You Should Be Doing but Probably Aren't"

Thanks for reading!

Susan

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Today's newsletter contains:

Today's Tips:

• Frugal Entertainment for the Whole Family
• Free Family Fun

New Requests:

• Burnt Ring From a Pan on My Kitchen Counter
• Hidden Valley Fiesta Ranch Dip Mix Recipe
• Homemade Pool Chemicals
• Preventing Hair Dye From Getting On Skin
• Pruning a Crepe Myrtle Tree
• How do you fill out a money order?
• Recipes You Can Freeze
• Quick Lunch Ideas
• Where Do Cobwebs Come From?
• Tying a Scarf Into a Purse
• My Clothes Don't Smell Good
• Homemade Pimple Treatment
• Acrylic Paint Stains on a Polyester Ball Gown
• Barbecue Wine and Chicken
• Making a Granite Counter Top Shine
• Making Homemade Tomato Juice
• Hibiscus Not Blooming
• Refilling a Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner
• Getting Coupons in the Mail
• Dried Blood Stain on Cloth

More Reading:

• Four More Things You Should Be Doing but Probably Aren't

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Today's Tips

Frugal Entertainment for the Whole Family By Fisher Swanson Here are some frugal entertainment ideas for the whole family. Board Games Board games are a great investment. If well taken care of, they can easily last a generation. You can often find them at garage sales for a dollar or two, even the new board games. Every family should have some basics like cards, dominoes, chess, and checkers. Movie Night Rent a movie, pop some popcorn and entertain the whole family for a couple hours. Take turns picking out what movie to watch. You can order DVD's or videos from the library for free. Sometimes there is a wait but many libraries allow you to place holds online and receive notifications when your items are available. Discount Movie Theatres Most areas have at least one movie theatre that runs older movies for cheap prices. All you have to do is wait until the movie has been out a for a few months and it will eventually show up at one of these theatres. Ticket prices can be even less than a matinee and are sometimes double features. Drive-in movie theatres can also be great bargains. Minor League Sports If your area has a minor league team they can be a lot of fun to watch and much cheaper than their major league counterparts. The minor league stars of today are often the major league stars of tomorrow. Playgrounds, State Parks and Local Parks Most parks are free, especially if you are not camping. Pack a picnic lunch or bring some barbecue. Try out different parks in your area until you find your favorites. Bring a frisbee and a dog! Support the Arts High school plays, talent shows and community theatre are generally inexpesive and a lot of fun. You will be surprised at how much talent there is in your community. Churches also have plays and programs that are open to the community even if you don't attend that church. Watch for Free Days and Free Events Many museums, zoos and aquariums have free days. This is often one day per month such as the first Tuesday or last Friday. There are a lot of museums that are fun and have areas tailored towards kids. In art museums the ancient cultures exhibits are often fun for kids. Open Houses, Openings and Festivals Sports teams often have a free open house before the season starts. Also make note of free festivals and events in your communities. Check your local paper and chamber of commerce for upcoming events. Zoo Membership If you have kids who love to go to the zoo you should consider a family membership. It can be a great deal if you plan on going often and have a zoo nearby. Similar memberships are available at museums and aquariums as well. Farmers' Market and Swap Meets You don't have to spend much money to have a good time at your local Farmer's Market. Most communities have them on Saturday or Sunday every week during the Spring, Summer and early Fall. You can get some great vegetables for less than you pay at the grocery market and usually there is something fun for the kids to do. Library and Bookstore Events Next time you go to the bookstore or library pick up an events calendar. They often have live music or book readings that might interest your family. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Keep your eyes and ears open and you will find many more opportunities to have fun with your family without spending a lot of money. If you have some frugal entertainment ideas feel free to post them below. Post Feedback: Click Here

Free Family Fun By Kelly Ann Butterbaugh Summer is here and with it comes the ever-present I'm bored. The best way to conquer this is to set up family excursions and activities, but that only adds an additional summertime problemcost. Instead, pepper the summer (or any time of the year) with free family activities that are enjoyable for all. Family Olympic Day. Schedule a family Olympic day in the park or at home. Brainstorm a list of activities such as pillowcase races, tug-of-war, and a soccer game. Then, have the family make ribbons for each event. On the day of the Olympics, hold an opening ceremony and let the games begin! Other variations could be a family craft fair with judging of the crafts, a pet show which includes the family pets and their antics, or a family talent show and a video camera. Take a Nature Hike. With the help of books or the internet, create a checklist of flora and fauna that live in the area. Then, take a family nature walk looking for the items on the checklist. Keep a field journal of the day and encourage everyone to follow up on what was learned that day. Explore the Library. Not only is a family trip to the library a great way to spend time together, but taking part in the library's activities is also a great way to add fun to the trip. Most libraries offer a summer reading program; now get the entire family involved. The children can take part in the programs while the adults volunteer to help. Just Exercise! What's better than a family bike ride in the park? A family walk, maybe? Whatever the answer, get out there and exercise together. Walk around the block after dinner to lengthen the table talk or don roller blades and skate to the ice cream parlor. Instead of exercising to a video or on the treadmill alone, have the entire family join in and create a fun new routine. Explore Local History. No one ever said you had to pay admission to see the town's oldest building. There are many stops that can be made for free; some museums and heritage centers offer free admission. In some areas covered bridge tours are self-guided with the help of a map. Historic blocks can become walking tours. Learn a little about where you live as a family. Help Others. Volunteer as a family to help at animal shelters, community centers, park programs, the local library, or even in the hospital. Choose an organization which is interesting to the entire family or take turns helping at a variety of places. You may learn something new about yourself. The Tried and True. Last but not least schedule a family game night. Like the family diner table, family game night is a memorable activity that promotes family togetherness and good character development. Take turns choosing games or stick to the family favorite; whatever you choose it will be a great night. Post Feedback: Click Here

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Syndication Spotlight Dear Webby's Humor Letter Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter. More Information: http://webby.com/humor

New Requests

Burnt Ring From a Pan on My Kitchen Counter I sat a hot pot on my kitchen counter and now have a burnt ring I can't get out. Please help! Pattie from Naples, FL Post Feedback: Click Here

Hidden Valley Fiesta Ranch Dip Mix Recipe Can someone send in the ingredients listed on the package for Hidden Valley Fiesta Ranch Dip mix, please? Peggy Lee from Cecil, Ohio sent in the best recipe (Festival Tortillas) the other day which called for Fiesta Ranch Dip mix, but the mix seems to have become unavailable here in No. California, although I've checked every grocery store. Hidden Valley still lists it on their web site and I wrote them asking for the ingredients but haven't heard back. Lynn from Chico, CA Post Feedback: Click Here

Homemade Pool Chemicals Can a person make their own pool chemicals? It really cost a lot of money to keep my above ground 14' x 18' ring-style pool clear. Joy from Summers, AR Post Feedback: Click Here

Preventing Hair Dye From Getting On Skin I see how to get hair dye off the skin as a question a lot in the feedback. How do you keep it off in the first place so you don't have to work to take it off. Susan from Port Orchard, WA Post Feedback: Click Here

Pruning a Crepe Myrtle Tree What month should you prune a crepe myrtle tree? Hardiness Zone: 7a LORRAINE from LINDENHURST Post Feedback: Click Here

How do you fill out a money order? How do you fill out a money order? SE from Tucson, AZ Post Feedback: Click Here

Recipes You Can Freeze Does anyone know any quick recipes that you can freeze? That would be a great help! By Misti from Carthage, Tennessee Post Feedback: Click Here

Quick Lunch Ideas We live close to the High school in our town. Since some of my daughter's friends have the same lunch period, they want to come to our house and have lunch. I work, so am not at home. I need ideas for "quick" lunches for them. Kathyg from Oskaloosa, IA Post Feedback: Click Here

Where Do Cobwebs Come From? Hello Frugal friends, I have a question for you all. Where do cob webs come from and HOW can I keep them from coming back all the time? I can clean them up today and by tomorrow they are back. I hate that, so any information you can share with me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a bunch, Teresa from VA Post Feedback: Click Here

Tying a Scarf Into a Purse I am looking for the directions to tying a scarf into a purse. I saw this on Martha Stewart's show, but cannot find them on her website. If anyone can tell me where to find them please let me know. Julie from Naples, FL Post Feedback: Click Here

My Clothes Don't Smell Good How do I clean my washer/dryer, my clothes stink after being washed? The smell is kind of musty. I take them out immediately. I've tried wiping both out with bleach water and I've tried running just bleach and soap through without clothes. Please help, we stink! April from Mason, MI Post Feedback: Click Here

Homemade Pimple Treatment How do I make a homemade pimple remover? My mom says that I'm too young to buy proactiv and other products that I think are great, but I need help! I need a fast, simple, easy way to get rid of my pimples before school starts. Help! Thanks for reading this. Cecilia from LA, California Post Feedback: Click Here

Acrylic Paint Stains on a Polyester Ball Gown My painters had to come and redo all my trim after we moved in. The trim is white high gloss acrylic. I just got out my new red ballroom gown for a big event and found it has paint dots on an area approx. 4x6 right in the front! It's 100% Polyester that is iridescent red with bead and sequin work. Tag says "Do not wash, do not dry clean. Only professional spot clean". Not even sure where to take it. There is an area in the front of the dress (a 4x6 area) with about 10 small paint dots and one larger paint dot. All extremely noticeable on red. Any suggestions? My biggest concern is the colorfastness of the material. Help! This was an extremely expensive ball gown that still has the tags on it! Looking to wear it on 8/27/06. Any help would be greatly appreciated! TLS from Pasadena, CA Post Feedback: Click Here

Barbecue Wine and Chicken I recently did beer can chicken on the barbecue. Now I would like to do it again using wine instead of beer. Has anyone tried it? White wine or red wine? Sharon from Canada Post Feedback: Click Here

Making a Granite Counter Top Shine I have a matte finish granite counter top. Is there a way to make them shine? Teri from Sarasota, FL Post Feedback: Click Here

Making Homemade Tomato Juice I just tasted homemade Tomato Juice and would like to make it. My questions are: Can I use a blender? My recipe calls for tomatoes, lemon juice and salt. Can I put it in cans and store? Some people say I do need to process it some say not to. I want to make it and stay safe. Any answers, ideas, tips are appreciated! Annie from Hallsville, MO Post Feedback: Click Here

Hibiscus Not Blooming My Hibiscus is a beautiful green plant and bloomed about four blooms. Since then it has done nothing but grow taller and no other blooms. What's my problem please. Hardiness Zone: 7b Angelheart from Clyde, TX Post Feedback: Click Here

Refilling a Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner I bought one of those shower cleaning things that you hang over the shower head. Once you finish showering you mash the button on it sprays to clean your shower. It is called scrubbing bubbles automatic shower cleaner. What I want to know if someone might have a great recipe for making the cleaning solution to put back in the bottle once it is all gone. It sure gets expensive buying the bottles to put in it. I sure would love some great ideas on what to put in it. Thanks everyone who can help. God Bless all of you for your great tips that you send to help us all. Love, Angelheart from Clyde, TX Post Feedback: Click Here

Getting Coupons in the Mail I recently lost my job and things are beyond tight. I was wondering if anyone knows of any sites that send coupons in the mail. Most of the stores in my area do not take computer generated coupons. Also, is there a website that gives away stuff that others do not want? Someone mentioned it to me but they did not know any specifics. Bonnie from Cleveland, Ohio Post Feedback: Click Here

Dried Blood Stain on Cloth How to clean dry blood from cloth? Earl from TN Post Feedback: Click Here

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More Reading

Four More Things You Should Be Doing but Probably Aren't By Kelly Ann Butterbaugh In follow up to the article, "Five Things You Should Be Doing but Probably Aren't" here are four additional tasks that help to prepare for unforeseen events. With a little time invested now, we can avoid hassles in our future. Take the time to complete the tasks that should be done but most likely aren't. Read More: Click Here

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