Daily Thrifty Tips - June 1, 2006

Eversave

Sign up for Eversave and receive saving alerts from the nations leading brands via email and local coupons.

More Information:
http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-1461549-10313907

Dragon is our 5 1/2 year old domestic shorthair cat. We rescued Dragon at only 5 weeks old from a local pound in October of 2001.

Dragon likes to play hide and seek with us, and to chase us 'round and 'round the guest bathroom, which has hallways around all 4 sides. He also loves to eat the tails off furry mice toys.

Dragon was born on Sept. 11, 2001. "Mama cat" was a large all white shorthair with jewel green eyes, and "daddy" was a maine coon mix, which explains why Dragon is now a whopping 19 pounds with ear tufts and a weirdo personality, but we love him! He was the only "tuxedo" kitten in the litter; all his littermates were white with dark grey splotches.

By Deanna from Buckeye, AZ

Post Feedback: Click Here

Cooter is our 4 year old Toy Poodle. I brought him home 4 years ago on Halloween night. I bought him from a friend.

He likes being under foot at all times. Whenever I go into a room he's right with me. He also loves driving my truck. He's up on the steering wheel looking at the road like he's the one driving. He has a stuffed rabbit that he walks around with and cries while it's in his mouth. Not sure why he does that but it's so cute.

I have a 16 year old son and when he leaves the house Cooter goes into his bedroom to see what he can steal. He thinks it's his room as you can see by the picture this is what the 16 year old does to him just to make him mad.

By Donna from Sweetwater,Tn

Post Feedback: Click Here

I have found the ABSOLUTELY best and fastest way to remove wax from votive candle holders. Just pop the votive in the freezer for about 20-30 minutes and the remaining wax pops right out! This is much easier than many of the other ways I have found.

By Carol from Lancaster, PA

Post Feedback: Click Here

You can make cleaning your cheese grater a snap by rubbing cooking oil on the grater before using it.

By ThriftyFun

Post Feedback: Click Here

If you don't have one of those expensive salad spinners, have some fun. Spin your salad greens and lettuce dry quickly without damaging them by washing them well, then put into a clean pillowcase. Step outdoors, and swing it over your head like a windmill. Swing in big circles. It sounds stupid, but try it. You'll be surprised. Kids love doing this.

By Bobbie G from Rockwall, TX

Post Feedback: Click Here

Potatoes should be stored in cool, dark place with at about 40F. If potatoes get too warm, they will sprout and if they get too cold, they will get sweet. If potatoes are stored at below 40F, simply let them warm up at room temperature for a few days and their normal flavor will return. Do not allow potatoes to freeze. Potatoes should be stored in a bin or a bag that is at least a few inches off the ground but not piled more than 18 inches deep. If stored in a the right conditions, potatoes can be stored for months.

By ThriftyFun

Post Feedback: Click Here

There were comments on the Webby site about free credit reports. Dave Ramsey says you should stagger the requests; so that, once every four months, request one report per consumer reporting agency. Thus, you will be able to to keep an account of the activity on your account throughout the year. Don't request all three at once, or you have used up your annual free credit reports.

By fieednabra from Memphis, TN

Post Feedback: Click Here

Several years ago, I made a cookbook for my family and a few friends. Everyone loved it, and some even shared some of their favorite recipes. I was thinking of doing this again, but the cost was a little frightening for the paper and printing. Instead, this year I'm going to burn everyone a CD with the cookbook and family pictures. There are great Web sites that have free envelope templates that include templates for CD envelopes. I'll personalize each envelope, and I'm ready for any gift occasion that comes up, Christmas will be here before we know it!

By Bobbie G from Rockwall, TX

Post Feedback: Click Here

I'm recommending a new product, Dryer Balls. They are light blue plastic balls with porcupine spikes all over them. You get 2 of them in a package for $9.14 at your local Walmart supercenter, up by the registers. They are supposed to save you money on your clothes drying bill. They have a 2 year guarantee. All you have to do is take the cash register receipt and tape it to the package like I did and store it away.

Anyway, I have used them many times and at first I tracked my savings. I am no mathematician, but by my calculations, I get every 5th load dried for free! They are also supposed to take the place of fabric softener, but I didn't use it in the first place, so it didn't apply to me. Worth the money in my book.

By Lori from Marion, AR

Post Feedback: Click Here

If you want to attract frogs and toads to your pond then make sure it has a sizeable shallow area that is not any deeper than six inches deep. Fill this area with lots of rocks for them to hide under so they feel camouflaged and safe.

Tip By Hope Mason
http://www.lulu.com/spiritbooks

Post Feedback: Click Here

Submit Your Tips and Photos!

Tip Contest!

To enter, visit: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_contest.ldml

Photo Contest!

To enter, visit: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_photocontest.ldml

Contests are now weekly. We'll pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week.

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.
http://webby.com/humor

Do you publish a newsletter? Sign up for our Tip Syndication:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/syndication.html

I am writing because I have an above ground pool (18x48) and I put in shock, chlorine and algaecide all at the same time. I have always done this except this time I added the algaecide. Now that I have put the algaecide in with the rest of the stuff my pool is cloudy. 2 days have passed and it's still a little cloudy now, but it has bubbles and foam like water. What is wrong? Please help me.

Thanks,
Karen from Miami, FL

Post Feedback: Click Here

We have a pool that the sides go up as we fill with water. We are putting it in a new location this year. We need to know how much sand is needed for a 16 x 16 foot area. But, since sand is expensive, is there a cheaper method to provide a soft, protective barrier for the pool base?

DDSS2000 from New Hampshire

Post Feedback: Click Here

Does anyone have a recipe for making the wet facial cleaning towelettes? I just saw a recipe for making baby wipes, so there must be a way to make these!

Thanks,
Glenda from River Falls, WI

Post Feedback: Click Here

I ruined two new pairs of pants in two days, both with bleach. The first one I got splatters from the bleach pen on my pink pants and then the next day I was cleaning my kitchen floor and squirted my Clorox floor cleaner and apparently got it all over the one pant leg. I would love to fix these pants, but I don't want to make it worse. I didn't know if dying the pants with the color would help or what I could do. If anyone knows I would love the answer and or suggestion.

Thanks,
Carolyn from LI, New York

Post Feedback: Click Here

I had a Honey Glaze to run all over my smooth top range. How do I remove it without scratching the surface?

Fran from Charleston, West Virginia

Post Feedback: Click Here

How do you get pet urine stain out from the subflooring under carpeting?

Stinky in WI from Wisconsin

Post Feedback: Click Here

I would like some help. I'm having a first birthday for my daughter. I was thinking of going with a jungle party. Does anyone have any cheap ideas for decorations to go with this. Anything will help.

Thanks!
Ccrooker from IL

Post Feedback: Click Here

What can be used to remove, say "Honda" emblem from motorcycle seats. The seats are either leather or vinyl with the logo evidently painted on the back of the seat in white letters. I want to remove the letters.

Thanks,
Jim McIntosh from Pollar AR

Post Feedback: Click Here

How do I remove grease from suede shoes?

Joanne from Sunderland

Post Feedback: Click Here

I'm 12 and starting my own babysitting buissness bit I really don't have any clue about spreading the news of my new buissness. Any ideas of how to let the world know im doing this?

Rachel from San Antonio, Texas

Editor's Note: Make sure your parents approve of anyone you work for.

Post Feedback: Click Here

How to get ink off of a leather chair?

Laura Willette from Owatonna, MN

Post Feedback: Click Here

My nieces are both "graduating" this June--one from 5th grade (from elementary to middle school) and the other from 8th grade (from middle school to high school). I'd like to find some kind of gift for each of them, but something school or life related instead of another gift card to this week's popular clothing store. Does anyone have any ideas? I'd like to stay under $20 each. Books would be perfect, but all I can think of is "Oh, the Places You'll Go" by Dr. Seuss and I'd like something a little more original.

Thanks!
Risabelle from Bingen, WA

Post Feedback: Click Here

I have this 7 week old red nose pitbull half mastiff puppy and I seem to be having a hard time getting her to go to the bathroom on the potty training pads and she goes to the bathroom a lot. Is there anything that I can do to control her bladder and keep her from peeing and pooping on everything else besides the pads? Please help.

Kyleswife from Lancaster, CA

Post Feedback: Click Here

My children constantly love to draw and now somehow we have managed to end up with black "Sharpie" marks on one area of the white tile on my living room floor. Is there ANYTHING anyone knows of I can use to remove the marks?

SkyeBlue from Mena, Arkansas

Post Feedback: Click Here

want to make my husband a Father's day gift basket with fishing stuff in it since he loves to go fishing. I have no clue on what the best fishing products are. He only does freshwater fishing. I would also like other gift basket ideas for my father and grandfather. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Kristina from USA

Post Feedback: Click Here

My spaghetti sauce is too salty. How can I make it taste better while storing it in the refrigerator?

Kathy from Tishomingo, OK

Post Feedback: Click Here

I have a seafoam green colored evening grown (it has a netty texture). I need matching shoes. What color and style should I get? Where can I get it for the cheapest price possible?

Leann from New York, NY

Post Feedback: Click Here

Does anyone have a recipie on how to make Antibacterial "Wet Ones"?

Thanks!
Glenda from River Falls, WI

Post Feedback: Click Here

How do you remove years of accumulated cigarette smoke smell from a large, old painting?

Kitty from Reno, NV

Post Feedback: Click Here

My 3 year old wa playing in wet cement in her new jeans! They now have cement stains on them. I soaked them immediadely in water, however this had no affect. Any suggestions?

Cass Q from Melbourne, Australia

Post Feedback: Click Here

Free Printable Coupons

Print brand name coupons and use them at your favorite store! Sign up to take advantage of over 80 money-saving offers inside.

More Information:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/lk/print_coupons.lasso

Free Things to Do:

Old Hollywood is all around you in downtown Hollywood. Avoid the tours and take a walking tour down Hollywood Blvd. from Sunset and Vine to Hollywood and Highland and then take in Grauman's Chinese Theater and the footprints. There are now signs which give you a self-guided tour down the street.

Read More: Click Here

Try to imagine what your garden would look like if you took away all of the foliage and you really start to understand and appreciate its value. Usually, it plays the subtle, yet important role of providing a backdrop that showcases the colors of your flowers. Many gardeners are discovering that there are hundreds of plants worth growing just for their foliage. Plants that provide foliage give the garden color, shape and texture when nothing is in bloom.

Read More: Click Here

Coupon Swap!
Swap coupons with other ThriftyFun.com users:

Seed Swap!
Swap seeds with other ThriftyFun.com users:

Tip Contest!
Submit a tip and enter our contest.

Submit a Request
Frugal solutions to everyday problems.

Search ThriftyFun!
Use Google technology to search ThriftyFun.