Daily Thrifty Tips - June 7, 2006

Free Firefox Web Browser

"The award-winning, free Web browser is better than ever. Browse the Web with confidence - Firefox protects you from viruses, spyware and pop-ups. Enjoy improvements to performance, ease of use and privacy. It's easy to import your favorites and settings and get started. Download Firefox now and get the most out of the Web." You can download Firefox with or without the Google Toolbar, both versions are free.

More Information:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf65884370.tip.html

Be creative and don't be afraid to try something new and different!

By Jeri from Indianapolis, IN

Post Feedback: Click Here

I wanted to share this picture that I took of a bird that was sitting on the pier on our Florida vacation.

By Judith Crooker from Cumberland, Me

Post Feedback: Click Here

Using a dried sand dollar and a piece of debris from your yard, make a wonderful plant marker the color of your plants!

View This Project: Click Here

Madison Ann is 5 weeks old and a Clydesdale. She was born on the farm on April 10th. She likes to run, play, and act like a human! She is our American Baby!

By Amber from Sherrard,Il

Post Feedback: Click Here

A paper clip works well as a bookmark, especially if you are carry books in a bag or backpack. The paperclip won't fall out the way a loose bookmark can.

Post Feedback: Click Here

When my cats left a urine odor on our basement concrete, I used Scope mouthwash on it. The smell disappeared.

By garnetgirl9 from Stoughton, WI

Post Feedback: Click Here

With 3 kids, we go through bread quickly. It can get expensive buying at the convenience store or the grocery store. I have started to buy bread in bulk at the discount bakery and freeze it at half or a third of the cost. Plus, the bakery I buy at has incentives and a discount program and I get several products for free.

By Mary Beth

Post Feedback: Click Here

Mosquitoes love people who eat bananas, so you may wish to avoid bananas during mosquito season. A bonus tip: tuck a scented fabric softener sheet (unused) in your pocket or somewhere on you and you will be less bothered by bugs.

I own a campground, so I make a habit of knowing tidbits like this.

By garnetgirl9 from Stoughton, WI

Post Feedback: Click Here

I have in my purse a large (#10) envelope, orange, my favorite color. In this envelope, I keep my medical/insurance cards for when I go to the doctor. Also a card that lists all my medications with dosages, allergies (none), family emergency names and phones, doctor's name, hospital choice, a special eye card concerning eye surgery I had, and pharmacy card. My family knows if there is ever an emergency where this orange envelope is and they can tell medical people where to find it if they (the family) aren't there as yet. When my kids were little, I kept info on them, shots, illnesses, doctor info, etc, on cards in my purse too, saved a lot of memory searching if they went to ER, etc.

By Linda from Bloomington

Post Feedback: Click Here

Chamomile is one of the few herb plants that is not used in cooking. It offers many other rewards, though, than just its delicate yellow flowers and ground covering capabilities.

Pick the dried flowers, and blend them together in some boiling water to make an infusion. This concoction can be used as a skin tonic and a cleanser. Just apply it to the face with a cotton ball.

The following recipe is a cool, refreshing cleanser for oily skin. Only make as much as you can use for two or three days, because it is made with milk.

Chamomile Cleanser

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons chamomile flowers
• 1 cup of warm milk

Directions:

Place the flowers in the milk until the milk and let them infuse until the milk smells like chamomile. The best way to do this is to use a double boiler. Heat the water in the bottom pan, and remove it from the heat. Place the milk and flower mixture in a bowl over the water and allow it to sit. Occasionally, stir gently - you want to keep the flowers intact. When the milk is scented, strain it to remove the flowers, and pour the milk into a jar or bottle, keeping it covered. Store in a cool place for no more than three days - refrigerating is good. This is a refreshing cleanser for hot days!

Post Feedback: Click Here

Ingredients

• 3 cups nonfat dry milk
• 4 cups sugar
• 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
• 1 tsp. salt
• 3 cups cornstarch

Directions

Mix all ingredients together and store in airtight container.

To prepare for use:

1/2 cup mix and 2 cups milk.

Heat and stir constantly while boiling, cool then add 1/2 tsp. vanilla.

By IMAQT1962 from ILLINOIS

Post Feedback: Click Here

What are your ideas for using retired sippy cups?

Save your sippy cup for when your child is older! I saved my highest-quality sippy cup (coincidentally, the one that was in the best shape) when my daughter graduated to "real" cups. Now when she has a stomach bug and spends the day on the couch, I give her the sippy cup instead of letting her drink out of a real cup in my living room. Even though she's now 8, she loves her special "sick" cup and I never have to clean up spills.

By Karen from NH

Post your ideas below.

Post Feedback: Click Here

This tip is for entertaining children at Christmas time while I am trying to put the finishing touches on the meal and before we open gifts. I take 2 large posterboards and tape them from the back side. Then I draw a Christmas tree on the front complete with trunk.

That's all I do--the rest is for the kids to have fun. I give them my Christmas cookie cutters, glitter glue, regular glue, colored makers, child safe scissors and let them "decorate" their own Christmas tree. It's great fun for the kids and gives the adults time to have a "calm before the storm"! My grandkids love it!

By Peg from Cecil, OH

Post Feedback: Click Here

To make a moist cake use pudding in your recipe or use low fat milk.

By Rachel from San Antonio, TX

Do you have any tips for making moist cakes? Feel free to share them below.

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 have a 7 foot long pair of awful looking rubber streaks left on my carpet after having moved a piece of furniture that had rubber feet. The carpet is a tight, low pile loop of blended colors, basically blue and gray. I desperately need help in finding a way to remove this from my carpet. Thank You!

Jocelyne from Norway, Michigan

Post Feedback: Click Here

I lost my recipe book for my GTXpress101. Where can I get one?

Cooker from Wausau, WI

Post Feedback: Click Here

I'm looking for a cheap and simple way to clean my jewelry (mostly silver). Does anyone have any brilliant ideas?

Delisha from London, England

Post Feedback: Click Here

Is Odorban a good product for eliminating smelly odors from clothing, linens towels, etc.? If so, how much do I use?

Deborah from NYC

Post Feedback: Click Here

I need to know what is the best way to clean off old two sided tape from a bathtub, so i can install new bath shields.

Granmac from Chattanooga, TN

Post Feedback: Click Here

I stained a silk dress with what looks like grease or some type of oily stain. I took it to the cleaners but it came back the same. Is there anything I can do to remove this? Thank you,

Ivonnet from Miami, FL

Post Feedback: Click Here

I have a problem. I feel like if I need to open up to my mom but she will get mad at how I feel because everything I say.

HELP,
Kristal from Miami

Post Feedback: Click Here

I am looking for seeds for ornamental pepper plants. I can't find anywhere.

Hardiness Zone: 8a

agc1953 from Prattville, AL

Post Feedback: Click Here

I am 5'0" and weigh 150 pounds. Where can I buy clothes that are petite and short in length, but not petite in width? I have searched all over the web and I cannot find anything. Where can you buy petite clothes for a size 12/14?

I have problems with bathing suits, because my torso is so short, but the rest of my body is a size 12/14.

Same with my shoe size. I wear a size 5, but need a wide width. You can NEVER find that size in a store!

Any Advice?

Thank You So Much!
Ronda S from Clarksburg, WV

Post Feedback: Click Here

I have a bird feeder with an all over verdigris finish that has completely rusted. I was wondering is it safe to spray paint it or will it harm the birds?

Michelle from Delaware

Post Feedback: Click Here

My 61 year old father is getting remarried this fall and I am looking for some ideas for a wedding gift. They own a home, are financially secure, so there is not much that they "need". If anyone has any ideas to share I would love to hear them! Thanks!

abineb70 from Central NJ

Post Feedback: Click Here

How to keep area rugs and carpet runners from slipping. I've tried the rubber pads underneath but that doesn't seem to work on rug/carpet combos. Any suggestions? I've also tried 2 sided tape.

call4cathy from Ocala, FL

Post Feedback: Click Here

I'm looking for a home recipe for lightening my dishwater blonde hair. I used to buy "touch of sun" by Clairol and used sporadically throughout summer time to give my hair a bleach blonde look without looking unnatural. It works well and never damaged my hair. Clairol no longer sells this and I know it had lemon juice, and hydrogen peroxide in it.

I have seen the recipes for lemon juice but nothing with both ingredients. Does anyone know how many parts lemon juice and how many parts hydrogen peroxide will work safely? If so can I use lemon juice concentrate or is straight from the lemon best. Thanks for any and all replies!

smcoulter from Freeport, MI

Post Feedback: Click Here

Pet Accident on Microfiber

I have a red microfiber chair. I just got a new kitten. The kitten went to the bathroom on the chair. It did not stain, but I can't get the odor out of the chair. I have tried 2 remedies I found on this page, windex and warm water and dish soap. Windex didn't work at all (do I have to use a whole bottle?) and the soap and warm water has left a slimy soap residue on the chair that I am still trying to get off. Still the smell lingers. What else can I do?

Corey from Denver, CO

Post Feedback: Click Here

I have been searching for ideas for using WIC cereal. I receive 48 ounces every month but we only go through about half of it. I can choose between Kix, Cheerios, Honey Bunches of Oats, and corn flakes. Does anyone have any great recipes or new uses for one of these cereals?

scruggle from Dublin, GA

Post Feedback: Click Here

I've been in a battle with my skin and hair for years, and at last I've come to seek some advice. My face is covered in acne (I don't remember what I looked like without it), and so far nothing has helped. The sensitive skin solutions don't hit the acne hard enough, and stronger solutions make my skin itch and flake after a few days. Proactiv brought the acne down to a slightly more manageable level, but after the first few months the price became a bit much. I also found myself slathering on facial moisturizers to get rid of the white, dry skin flakes which may have contributed to the longevity of a certain level of acne even after a few months on the program.

As for the hair, I have long blonde hair that's technically straight, except for the frizz and ponytail holder kinks that never want to go away. I've had it chopped off a few times and used different conditioners and shampoos to help fight against frizz and split ends. Kind of like with my skin, my hair gets greasy fast but then freaks out when I use things to battle the grease. Conditioners that might help with the frizz leave my hair flat and greasy before noon. On the rare occasion that I wear it down (it's a little below shoulder length now), people say I should wear it down more often. I'd like to, but the frizz/grease battle makes it a mess and a constant hassle.

Is there anything out there that might get rid of the acne and the frizz without leading to dry skin and greasy-looking hair?

Anna from Cleveland, OH

Post Feedback: Click Here

I would like information on how to multiply my great smelling rosebush. I have heard about rooting hormones, but does it really work, and how do you do it?

Hardiness Zone: 6b

Marion from Fort Meade, MD

Post Feedback: Click Here

Is there a way to make cat litter -- or use something else in place of it that is inexpensive? Thanks!

Cindy

Post Feedback: Click Here

Hey any other baby boomers. I am thinking about cosmetic surgery - my waist, hips, and rear end need work! Any suggestions or hints?

Jackisue from Shreveport, LA

Post Feedback: Click Here

I was at the grocery store a few days ago and noticed gnats buzzing around the onion bin. I've seen them near bananas, but this sighting was a first. When I did buy onions elsewhere, I made sure to shake them off before putting in the bag, knotting the bag tightly and when home, opening the bag outdoors and giving them another good shake. And as I am doing all of this, am wondering if it is going to make not one whit of difference as bug eggs could be hidden among the many layers of peelings. Is this a no win situation? What do you do to keep the gnat population down?

Cookwie from Richardson, TX

Post Feedback: Click Here

Free Firefox Web Browser

"The award-winning, free Web browser is better than ever. Browse the Web with confidence - Firefox protects you from viruses, spyware and pop-ups. Enjoy improvements to performance, ease of use and privacy. It's easy to import your favorites and settings and get started. Download Firefox now and get the most out of the Web." You can download Firefox with or without the Google Toolbar, both versions are free.

More Information:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf65884370.tip.html

Free Things to Do:

There are over 70 wineries in the area, many offering free tours and tastings. Pack a picnic lunch and hike the Finger Lakes Trail or explore many of the bike trails in the region. There are also many state parks to visit.

Read More: Click Here

Breed Description: Commonly referred to as the "barkless" dog, the Basenji is a short haired, finely built hunting dog from Africa. This fox-size breed has long legs for its height, muscular thighs, a tail that curls off to one side and is known for its furrowed brow.

Read More: Click Here

This can be a terribly disgusting and frustrating experience for a pet owner. The last thing you want to see is your sweet pup taking a "Tootsie Roll" out of the cat's litterbox and chowing down... then coming over for some slobbery kisses!

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.