|
|
|
Hello,
I hope all the US residents had an enjoyable holiday weekend and you didn't have to work. And I hope our readers in Florida braved hurricane Frances safely. Which brings to mind a topic that I think is important for everyone, disaster preparedness. You never know when something might go wrong or test your home in ways that you never imagined. It's important to have food and equipment on hand to help you through tough times that may hit your neck of the woods. We have set up a Brainstorm online where you can post ideas about what you do to stay prepared in your area. Please let us know which types of risks there are where you live, i.e. blizzards, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes. We will try to post information throughout the week as well.
Brainstorm: Keeping Your Home Prepared
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf965582.tip.html
Thanks for reading,
Susan
Submit a tip and enter our contest: Click Here
If you are looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem, submit it here: Click Here
Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Tips:
New Requests:
More Reading:
Search ThriftyFun Using Google: Click Here
Today's Sponsor
Have you surfed all over the internet looking for a simple way to manage your finances? Now you don't need to. Budget Stretcher premium offers everything you need to learn how to get the most out of your money in one place with no ads or popups to deal with. Learn more by clicking on the below link:
http://www.budgetstretcherpremium.com
Today's Tips
Keeping Kitchen Food Staples Stocked
If you are tired of running out of kitchen staples, buy two and instead of putting it on your grocery list when you run out, put it on your list when the first one is gone. Having one in reserve can save lots of extra trips to the store because you are completely out of coffee, butter, etc. It may take a while to stock the extra ones, but if you add a couple each shopping day, you will never have to run to the store because you don't have an ingredient for a recipe you have already begun. By Harlean from Arkansas
Post Feedback: Click Here
Here's a homemade mold remover that does not require bleach.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup borax
1/2 cup vinegar
1 cup warm water
Directions:
Put ingredients in a spray bottle and shake until borax is dissolved. Spray on moldy surfaces and wipe away with a sponge.
View Article: Click Here
Put eggs in a water filled pot on the stove and bring the water to a boil. When it is at a boil, turn the water off and leave the eggs in for the length of time that you would normally boil them. A neat money saver. The same thing can be done with corn on the cob. It tastes much fresher this way. By Bev Sobkowich
Post Feedback: Click Here
Disposing of Bacon and Other Grease
I save cleaned out glass jars to drain grease from frying bacon or hamburger. I keep it under the sink tightly capped and collect the grease til it's about full. and then I discard the jar. By Moanagroana
Post Feedback: Click Here
I own and operate a bed and breakfast. Since there are people in my town that will never need to stay at my bed and breakfast I still like to offer them a taste of what I have to offer in the event that relatives and/or friends might need lodging. And so when I have left over muffins that morning I bring them with me and offer them at the bank, the hairdressers, the dry cleaners, the grocery store clerk, etc. It's simple marketing but I've received many referrals doing this. Also add your business card when you give a muffin to each person. By joesgirl
Post Feedback: Click Here
If you're still needing cucumber recipes, check out this website:
http://www.justvegetablerecipes.com/inxcuc.html
By Terri H.
View Article: Click Here
For a different refreshing summer beverage try making iced tea with an equal portion of lemonade. Add ice cubes and a fresh sprig of mint. Happy drinking. By joesgirl
Post Feedback: Click Here
Cleaning Up Grease Spills in the Kitchen
Clean up grease or oil spills by sprinkling flour over the spill. The flour soaks up the spill and can then be easily scraped up and disposed of. This prevents the grease or oil from being spread around while trying to wipe it up with a paper towel or rag. By Lisa Trudeau
Post Feedback: Click Here
If you want to liven up a can of Baked Beans, add some runny honey & chopped fresh coriander, yum! By reb1234
Post Feedback: Click Here
Whenever i visit my local Lowes home improvement store, I check out the discounted paint rack. These are 1 gallon and 5 gallon pails of tinted paint that someone did not purchase. I pay $4 for 5 gallon pails and $1 for 1 gallon. I recently bought a 5 gal pail of sandstone textured paint for $4! With the average price of these pails at $20 and up, it's a great bargain! It also helps when you're not sure what color to paint a room. Your choices are limited and the price is so great, the choice is made for you! I would say that any store that sells paint probably does the same as Lowes. By Heather
Post Feedback: Click Here
Feedback: Alternate Uses for Dental Floss
I cut the top off a a small plastic coke bottle by squeezing it with the lid off and cutting with large scissors. Then I squeeze the side and make a small cut there. I then put dental floss o whatever string is available through there and hang plants that thrive in water all over the patio garden. They are so adorable.. I also sell these at garage sales. I have lots of morning glory vines that always need trimming and I just recycle these into coke bottle containers and use them again!
By Racing against thimerosol
Post Feedback: Click Here
Feedback: Homemade Pizza For Your Family
Hey, we use english muffins or plain bagels, spaghetti sauce with some italian seasoning sprinkled on it and go from there. Grandkids like making their own pizza.
By Owenmohrbucks
Post Feedback: Click Here
Feedback: Help Organizing Tupperware in Cupboard
I keep the round containers on one side of the cupboard, and the square/irregular-shaped containers on the other side, smallest in front, most frequently used on the shelf that's best within easy reach.
For each side, in a large zip close plastic baggie for each shape, I store the lids - round in one baggie, square in the other. The lids that won't fit, along with the baggies themselves, are stacked between the round and square areas / middle of my cupboard.
It helps to put the container away in the same area after unloading the dishwasher, instead of cramming them in the cupboard to "sort out later." (Been there, done that!)
Also I try to store the containers upside down, which looks funny in the cupboard, but it case any dust settles/dishes aren't quite dry/etc. it all drains off the containers or doesn't affect the inside of the containers where the food actually goes.
Angie W.
Post Feedback: Click Here
Feedback: Homemade Chocolate Syrup
The one I've been using is from a book that came with my old microwave. It is easy and very good on ice cream:
2 oz. unsweetened chocolate
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup sugar
dash of salt
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
Combine chocolate and milk in 2-cup microwave safe container. Microwave on Med (50%) until melted, 1 -2 minutes, stirring 2 -3 times. Blend in sugar & salt. Microwave at Med-High (70%) until sugar is dissolved, 45 - 90 seconds. Stir in vanilla.
Next time I make this I will add a splash of chocolate liqueur along with the vanilla to liven up the flavor even more.
Post Feedback: Click Here
Feedback: Low or Lower Fat Potato Soup Recipe Here is a good recipe - of sorts - for low fat potato soup:
- Chicken broth - canned or homemade
- Sauteed carrots,celery and onion (chopped very fine)
chopped celery leaves (sautee with "Pam" in a nonstick pan)
- Potatoes - cubed, with skins on for added nutrients
- Desired seasonings
Boil potatoes in chicken broth until very tender. Remove about 1/3 of the hot potatoes. Mash the potatoes with a little milk until very mushy (I use a fork). Blend the mashed potatoes with the soup. Add veggies.
For a thicker soup, boil the potatoes in the broth; drain; add milk, the mashed potatoes and veggies; mix in a little cornstarch dissolved in cold water; bring to a low boil and remove promptly.
If you want a very thick soup, puree all potatoes and veggies together and add the appropriate amount of broth to desired thickness. As you can see, this recipe has an infinite number of variations. Let me know how it turns out for you.
By Joni
Post Feedback: Click Here
Be sure to check out our active topics page to follow the discussion.
http://www.thriftyfun.com/board.html
Here's a recipe for making two basic pie crusts. It's enough to make one crust covered pie or two pies with no covers.
Ingredients:
Directions:
Sift flour and salt into a mixing bowl.
Then cut in butter and shortening using a pastry blender or two knives until the mixture resembles bread crumbs. Next add water, one tablespoon at a time.
Divide into to two equal size portions and roll them into balls.
Then wrap each ball in plastic wrap and let them chill for atleast one hour before rolling out.
Post Feedback: Click Here
Tip Contest
New Contest! Submit a tip and you could win:
Frozen Assets: How to Cook for a Day and Eat for a Month
By Deborah Taylor-Hough
Frozen Assets is small in stature, but jam-packed with meal-planning advice. It contains recipe ideas, plus detailed instructions on how to get the maximum value from your food dollar, while also slashing meal preparation times.
New Requests:
I have grease or oil from a pickup truck on my beige 100% cotton pants. How can I get this stain out on the first try without ruining my pants? Ann
Post Feedback: Click Here
Lip Gloss Stains - Grease Spots on Clothing
My daughter left a tube of lip gloss in her jeans pocket. I washed and dried the jeans along with other clothes without realizing it was in the laundry. Now I have little grease spots all over a load of clothes. I have tried felsnapha soap, murphys oil soap and a commercial stain stick. Nothing is removing the little grease spots. I know the original drying didn't help - what can I do to remove these spots? K. Barnhart
Post Feedback: Click Here
Removing Truck Grease from Cotton Pants
I have grease or oil from a pickup truck on my beige 100% cotton pants. How can I get this stain out on the first try without ruining my pants?
View Article: Click Here
Removing Glue from Contact Paper?
I have some contact paper on kitchen wall I am going to remove, (been there forever) does anyone know how to get the sticky stuff off after the contact paper is removed ??? Has to be something non toxic, as we have a parrot and do not want to harm him. Thanks for any info. Rose
View Article: Click Here
My jam did not solidify. Can I re-cook and re-can? Help! Erika
Post Feedback: Click Here
Looking for Camping Tips and Recipes
i am new to camping and i need camping tips. We have a small travel trailer. i am looking for tips on how to make camping easier and outdoor cooking tips and recipes. Owen
Post Feedback: Click Here
How do you make Non-dairy Yogurt?
Can anyone tell me how to culture non-dairy yogurt? It is available in some healthfood stores but it is very expensive.
View Article: Click Here
My neighbor tells me to never use my microwave. Does it put radiation in food and water cooked in it that is collected in the body to cause cancer? Does anyone know? -Jill
View Article: Click Here
Removing the fishy smell from silk clothes.
I bought a silk skirt and top and it smells of fish. Is there anything I can wash it in to remove the smell? Cathy N.
Post Feedback: Click Here
Orange Slice Pop Stain On Carpet
I gave my brother a 2 liter bottle of Orange Slice, but the cap wasn't on tightly and it spilled all over his brand new light grey carpeting. I've tried lots of things on it without results. Any ideas? Springmaid5
Post Feedback: Click Here
Looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem? Submit your request here: Click Here
More Reading
How To Save 1/3 off Your Grocery Bill
By L. C. Peterson
Want to spend less on food? Today my family is spending on average, one-third less on our grocery bill than we did last year. We are also able to go to the grocery store every other week and still have plenty of food in the house. How did we do this? This article is the first installment of a three part series on how we made these significant savings in our food spending.
View Article: Click Here
This site has a collection of homemade "Power Bar" recipes. It also has information about the history of these type of bars.
View Article: Click Here
Easy Homemade Gifts for Kids to Make
By Jane Lake
Even younger children can make these easy homemade gifts. The supplies are inexpensive, and an afternoon of creative crafting will produce enough gifts for several members of the family and several friends as well.
View Article: Click Here
Let others know that you like this Ezine:
Vote For the Daily Thrifty Tips
Support ThriftyFun
Three ways to support us:
1. Be sure to visit our website and check out our advertisers from time to time. They keep the lights on.
2. Post feedback and send us requests for frugal solutions to everyday problems.
3. Tell a friend about the Daily Thrifty Tips. Click Here
Thanks
Susan
http://www.thriftyfun.com
Like ThriftyFun on Facebook
