Daily Thrifty Tips
Volume Three, Number 134, September 23, 2004
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Hello,
We have 10 new requests today. Follow the discussion online at:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/board.html
Thanks for reading,
Susan
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Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Tips:
- Garden Decor with Yard Sale Finds
- Cheap Tape
- Crickets as Pets
- Oven Cleaner for Stains on Light Garments
- Uses for Junk CDs
- Use a Thinly Sliced Cooking Onion in Salads
- Use Fluorescent Light Bulbs in Hard to Reach Places
- Use Milk to Remove Make-Up
- Nicely Cut Flowers
- Mark Make-Up With Fluorescent Colored Dots
- Keep a Soup Bucket in Your Freezer
- Homemade Glass Cleaner with Dawn
- Feedback: Uses for Oatmeal Containers
- Feedback: Thrifty Christmas Ornaments?
- Feedback: Cleaning Carpets and Keeping Them Clean
- Feedback: Creative Makeovers for Leftovers
- Feedback: Instructions for Making a Tin Man Bird Feeder out of Tin
- Feedback: Gross, Yucky, Creepy Halloween Recipes
- Today's Recipe: Cooking Together: Five Minute Five Cup Salad
New Requests:
- Getting Smoke Smell Out Of Stroller
- Recycling Rewards From Nearby States
- Homemade Carpet Cleaning Solution
- Removing Shoe Dye From Carpet
- Fixing a Bathtub Drain
- Removing Gum From a Dryer
- Craft Ideas Using Wooden Spoons
- Chocolate Chip Cookies Gone Bad!
- Looking for a Cricket Solution
- Organizing Shoes
More Reading:
- Organizing your Wedding Stationery
- A Glossary of Baby Safety Terms and Definitions For Your Peace of Mind
- Stretching Decorating Dollars - Quick Facts
- Holiday Decorating With Fresh Greenery
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Editor's Pick
Dear Webby's Humor Letter
Dear Webby publishes a daily ezine with clean humor and tech tips. We get it here at ThriftyFun and really enjoy it. They offer 3 versions: Text, HTML, and large font HTML versions for vision impaired people. As an added bonus, they have begun publishing our syndicated thrifty tips! Check out Dear Webby's Humor Letter by clicking the link below.
http://webby.com/humor
Today's Tips
Garden Decor with Yard Sale Finds
I was going through the unsold items from my yard sale. I found some wooden art frames.
They were beautiful. I used some of them as flower garden borders, and some I wrapped thread, yarn, etc around and made a trellis out of it, it is leaning against the porch. I planted some morning glories. I also stuck some dead branches I had cut off one of the trees, they were about two feet high and pretty thick, into the ground for a trellis. I like using natural things for trailing plants.
I am going to use some old shoes as hanging planters and hang them in the trees also.
By Racer
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Cheap Tape
Save the edges from self-stick postage stamps, edges from around mailing labels, etc. to use as scotch tape where it doesn't matter or doesn't show. You can use this free scotch tape for most paper uses; however, it is best not to put labels on wood (cupboard doors, etc.) because it really does stick. Using the little pieces of labels in this way will cut down on the expense of regular tape.
By Jayne
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Crickets as Pets
Catch a cricket outside, look on the internet to find what they look like if you don't know. Find one of any size that only two hairy protrusions in the back. This is a male. The female has an ovipositor which lays her eggs for her. Males sing and sound just like a canary. If you cricket does not sing at night, then let it go and get another one. They eat a potato slice for food, a little coke top full of water and paper towel. They love bread and vegetables.
Cleaning is a snap, they don't bite and they are not any problem to keep. You can buy them for ten cents at the local pet store, but I like to catch my own. Do not put two together, they will kill one another. Have fun!
By Racer
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Oven Cleaner for Stains on Light Garments
This sounds totally weird, but it works. When I can't get a stain out of a white garment (or light color) with any other method, I spray it with oven cleaner (like easy-off) from the 99 Cent Store. Wait about 10 min, then launder. It always take the stain out, but on colored fabrics (especially. dark colors) it can also remove color. I salvaged a thrift store $2 Liz Claiborne blouse and many other garments this way!
By Linda
Editor's Note: This sounds like a "last resort" solution to me. Oven cleaner is nasty stuff.
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Uses for Junk CDs
This tip was passed on to me and I thought it would be great here.
Use the old junk mail CDs you get promoting internet servers as a reflector on the front and back of the halloween costumes, just make sure the reflective side is showing. Glue on, velcro or tape it if it's a plastic costume and it keeps the little ones safe. I wonder if it would be too bright to put at the end of a driveway? I might have to try that.
You can use them to scare away birds from the garden, by hanging them around on poles or trees. Play a flying disc game similar to horseshoes buy make two circles on the ground and toss CDs like a frisbee. OK, that's enough! Have fun!
By Dee
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Use a Thinly Sliced Cooking Onion in Salads
Instead of buying expensive salad onions, use very thin slivers from a normal cooking onion and mix in with the other salad ingredients. This gives a mild hint of flavour, unlike salad onions which can be overpowering, and the bonus is that if you are using an onion in the accompanying meal, e.g. lasagna, just keep a small piece of it back to use in the salad, so it has then cost you effectively nothing!
By econ o'miser
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Use Fluorescent Light Bulbs in Hard to Reach Places
We were having to replace the light bulbs in our ceiling fan quite often. I believe the constant movement caused them to burn out after a very short time. We finally replaced them all with fluorescent light bulbs and haven't replaced a burnt out bulb in over a year.
They cost more than the regular ones, but they give more light for less money, and they last longer, so over a period of time, they are actually a money saver.
By Harlean from Arkansas
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Use Milk to Remove Make-Up
Milk makes a great make-up remover. Dip a cotton ball in milk and gently wipe off makeup.
By Kristen
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Nicely Cut Flowers
To cut fresh flower stems cleanly, use a pet nail clipper. Simply put the stem through the hole and snip. A perfect cut every time!
By Deborah Grimsley
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Feedback: Uses for Oatmeal Containers
You could always paste some wrapping paper, fabric or whatever around the box and bake cookies and use as a container to give out during the holidays or a birthday. Maybe some fudge, or a round pumpkin bread cake that was baked in a coffee can would fit in just perfectly....Cover the plastic lid with part of a greeting card from last year if there is writing on it. Cut a circle of fabric and place between the lid and box. Tie a raffia ribbon.
By LadyD2002
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Feedback: Thrifty Christmas Ornaments?
Salt dough ornaments are great fun and cheap!! Kids love this. Make sure to make a hole in the ornament before baking to hang it with.
4 Cups of all purpose Flour
1 Cup of Salt
1 1/2 Cups of Hot Water
Holiday Cookie Cutters
Decorations, Glitter, Paint, Beads, Etc.
Knead the dough and roll it out to cut out shapes with cookie cutters (just like if you were making sugar cookies). Place them on a microwave safe plate and microwave on high for about 2 minutes. Paint and decorate as desired.
By lorac456
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Feedback: Cleaning Carpets and Keeping Them Clean
Janitor supply warehouses carry a "scotch guard" that you can buy. The only thing is you have to buy a case which is four (gal) bottles for around $95.00. You do have to put it in a sprayer, much like the carpet people do. Check to see if you have friends that would like to split an order with you.
I checked with several carpet stores and they said they do not sell it!
Hope this helps.
By Syd
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Feedback: Creative Makeovers for Leftovers
We take our leftovers after dinner and put them in pyrex storage containers, serving size and freeze. Then we eat them for lunch at home or work.
By Vicki
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Feedback: Instructions for Making a Tin Man Bird Feeder out of Tin
Editor's Note: The following is a PDF download. You will need a PDF reader to view the document.
Go here for MANY, MANY bird feeders including a tin can one.
http://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/fnr/wildlife/PDFfiles/NCR338.pdf
By Mari
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Feedback: Gross, Yucky, Creepy Halloween Recipes
For a Halloween prank, you might have the children be blindfolded and place their hands in a bowl of cold grapes. It is such an eery feel. We did it at a Halloween spooky walk event. And the children were amazed to find out the "yucky" feeling item was only a bowl of grapes
By jeanne
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Other Active Topics
Be sure to check out our active topics page to follow the discussion.
http://www.thriftyfun.com/board.html
Today's Recipe: Cooking Together: Five Minute Five Cup Salad
By Brandie Valenzuela
Recipes with five ingredients or less are the perfect timesavers,
and this recipe is no exception! The ingredients are also easy to
measure and stir so it is a salad that just about any child can
help prepare.
TOOLS
- Mixing Bowl
- Measuring Cups
- Mixing Spoon
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 1 cup coconut
- 1 cup pineapple (drained)
- 1 cup Mandarin oranges (drained)
- 1 cup whipped topping
DIRECTIONS
- In a bowl, combine the ingredients.
- Stir together.
- Serve and enjoy!
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Tip Contest
New Contest! Submit a tip and you could win:
Foodsaver Vac 300
This is the entry level Foodsaver. It offers commercial-quality vacuum packaging and is great for storing meat and cheese. It has a retail price of $79.99.
Enter the contest!
New Requests:
Getting Smoke Smell Out Of Stroller
How do i get the smell of smoke out of a stroller? I bought a bike stroller from a smoking home and a home with cats. It stinks bad and I can't seem to get the smell out. Any suggestions?
Angelica from Virginia
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Recycling Rewards From Nearby States
I wasn't sure where to post this but here goes... I am interested in saving our environment, we all should be, we need to preserve the earth and its resources for our children and many more after them.
But what I really want to know is can I make money by doing it? I live in a state that barely recycles and doesn't reward those who do. Even our voluntary collection buckets get tossed in the regular garbage trucks by their workers. So is it illegal for me to go to a state that will recycle my goods and give me a deposit or do i have to be a resident of that state to claim the deposit?
Anyone who knows anything about this please respond, have searched but have not answers yet.
Rachel
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Homemade Carpet Cleaning Solution
I am looking for a homemade carpet cleaning solution. A few years ago I had one that contained baby shampoo and apple cider vinegar. I do not remember the exact formula. Can you help?
Thank you.
Janice from North Carolina
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Removing Shoe Dye From Carpet
I need a way to remove shoe dye from a carpet. Any suggestions? Help, help.
Thank you.
Janice from North Carolina
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Fixing a Bathtub Drain
Does anyone know how much it might cost me to repair a broken bathtub drain? The lever will not stay down to let the water out without holding it by hand.
Thank You
Barbara in Freehold, New Jersey
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Removing Gum From a Dryer
My daughters left gum and stickers in their pockets. Now I have gum and stickers on the drum of my dryer. How do I remove them?
Thanks,
Linda from Texas
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Craft Ideas Using Wooden Spoons
I need craft ideas using wooden spoons. I have saved several wooden spoons (the long ones, not the little ice cream spoons). I would very much like to turn them into gifts or crafty decorations that I can give as Christmas gifts. I would prefer no santas.
Thank you,
L Shine in CA
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Chocolate Chip Cookies Gone Bad!
I need evryone's help. I used to make the best chocolate chip cookies, everyone loved them. For the last 3-4 years, I cannot make a good batch. They turn out either flat as a piece of paper, or else like a cake with the cake texture. My grandmother-in-law, neighbor, and a few other friends said they have been having the same problem. What is going on? Please give me your opinions on how I can make some good chewy, gooey cookies.
Thanks in advance,
Jenny in WI.
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Looking for a Cricket Solution
How do I keep crickets from coming inside my home?
Debbie
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Organizing Shoes
I am looking for a way to organize my shoes. I only own enough pairs to fit in a large plastic tote box, but I am finding out this is not a good way to keep your shoes. Not only can't you find pairs, but keeping them in a plastic box isn't a good idea. I don't have much space to work with. Do any of you creative, thrifty readers have any ideas on how I might organize them? Thanks for your thoughts.
Jayne.
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your request heClick Here
More Reading
Organizing your Wedding Stationery
By Claire Bowes
Of all the things you need to do, buy and organize in preparation for your wedding, wedding stationery is something that must be planned ahead. After all, you need to let your guests know well in advance of your forthcoming big day. Your wedding invitation and accessories set the tone for your special day firmly establishing your style and taste. It is the first official message about your wedding that a guest will receive from you, so make it special. If wedding etiquette is important to you, then make a start with your wedding stationery.
View Article: Click Here
A Glossary of Baby Safety Terms and Definitions For Your Peace of Mind
By Matt Jacks
You love your baby of course, and therefore want to keep him or her safe. But it is a 24 hour a day duty, being concerned with the welfare of your new arrival. And being confused about something or other doesn't help your nerves at all. Hopefully you're already getting lots of help for this task whenever you need it, which everyone does once in a while, and here is a bit more now. Below is a list of some important words and phrases that are relevant to this topic but maybe you're not so sure about the meanings of:
View Article: Click Here
Stretching Decorating Dollars - Quick Facts
High housing and furnishing costs leaves little for home decorating. Decorating on a budget involves planning, creativity, do-it-yourself skills and a spirit of adventure.
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Holiday Decorating With Fresh Greenery
"Decorating the house with fresh greenery is one of the oldest winter holiday traditions. Evergreens have been a part of winter festivals since ancient times. Evergreens are used to represent everlasting life and hope for the return of spring."
View Article: Click Here
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Thanks
Susan
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