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Hello,
Here are a couple pages on the site that I like to mention from time to time.
Active Topics:
The active topics page allows you to follow the most recently discussed topics on ThriftyFun. You can find it here:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/board.html
Lonely Requests:
This is where we post requests that are still looking for answers. We currently have 39 requests that have not received feedback. You can view them here:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/board_lonely.html
Thanks for reading,
Susan
Enter The Photo Contest:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/photo_contest.ldml
Enter The Tip Contest:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/contest.ldml
Frugal solutions to everyday problems: Submit a request...
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Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Photo Contest Entries:
Today's Tips:
New Requests:
More Reading:
Search ThriftyFun Using Google: Click Here
Today's Sponsors
11 Craft Designs By House of Greathouse
Just $5.00 (including shipping) for instructions on how to make 11 unique craft designs on CD. For more information and pictures of the crafts visit:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/columnists/harlean.html
Today's Photo Contest Entries
Scenic Dam in Mildmay, Ontario
I took this photo of the beautiful scenic dam in Mildmay, Ontario, Canada last Fall. It was one of those wonderful October Fall days when the weather was perfect for me to take advantage of my love for photography. We drove around in the country and I took many scenic photos that day. I will be sharing more of them with you.
Sandra Hemstock
View Photo and Post Feedback: Click Here
Hi, it's me again, Fred. I forget how old I am, who my ancestors were, but know I came from "the pound". Glad to get away from them scary dogs in there.
My people sometimes call me "Freddie the freeloader" because I lay around all day doing nothing. They say I am just like a teenager: screaming at them for food, sleeping in, watching tv and not helping with the housework. I thought that trying to look cute would make up for it :) It's hard enough getting up on this bed with my big tummy.
Maryanne
Click Here for Fred's previous picture on ThriftyFunView Photo and Post Feedback: Click Here
Submit a tip with a photo or a pet description with a photo and you could win a Digital Camera! You can enter the photo contest here:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/photo_contest.ldml
Today's Tips
I have trouble with my coffee cups and mugs becoming discolored because my husband drinks lots of coffee. All I have to do to take out the stains is to let them soak in a a sink full of water with a about 1/4 cup bleach added. Just be sure to rinse them well. Works great!
By Robin
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If you want your porcelain sink to be white again, just fill it with warm water and about 1 cup of bleach. Let it stay in there about 15 minutes and rinse.
By Robin
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Tips for safely and effectively cleaning up broken glass. Post your ideas.
Removing Tiny Pieces of Glass
Shatter a glass? Just use a lint roller to pick up the tiny pieces.
By Robin
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If you want to freshen the air, just simmer a dozen or so sticks of cinnamon or some cloves in 2 cups of water in an uncovered saucepan on your stove!
By Robin
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If you have carrots that are older and limp just soak them for about 30 minutes in cold water. They will be crisp again!
By Robin
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I thought the tips about calming puppies were awesome! I, too, have worked with dogs a lot, not in fostering, but I have been a groomer and worked for 2 vets. We own two adult dogs who can have some separation anxiety problems when we are away from home on vacations and such. We have a very reliable person come 4 times each day that we are gone to care for them, but they still seem to go through some tough times so we have started leaving the radio on the entire time we are gone. It doesn't use that much electricity and it's nice not to come home to the after affects of severe separation anxiety!
By Robin
Post Feedback: Click Here
A friend read a news article about getting rid of ROACHES and BY GEORGE -- it works!
Mix:
1/4 cup shortening or bacon drippings
1/8 c sugar
8 ozs. boric acid (found where canning items are,usually)
1/2 c flour
1/2 small onion chopped (optional)
Enough water to make a soft dough
Mix the shortening and sugar together until they form a creamy mixture. Mix the boric acid,flour and onion, then add to the shortening mixture. Blend well, then add just enough water to form a soft dough. Shape into small balls or just drop globs into an open plastic sandwich bag to keep them moist longer. When the dough gets hard it's time to replace it. Place these balls throughout the house: under sinks, behind appliances, etc. The food attracts the roach and it will eat it or absorb it.
BE SURE to label the bags and keep these away from CHILDREN and PETS because it is poisonous! I GUARANTEE it works!
By Sharon Shearer
Post Feedback: Click Here
When taking a prescription medication for a long time, you might want to consider calling a mail order pharmacy. I'm told they often charge lower prices than your local pharmacy.
By Terri H.
Post Feedback: Click Here
When considering home repairs when you don't plan on doing the work yourself, don't sign any contract that requires full payment before a satisfactory job is finished. Or it'll end up costing you more later, as you'll have to find a new person to do the work, when the previous person ran off with your money without completing the job.
By Terri H.
Post Feedback: Click Here
When home repairs are needed where you can't do them yourself, select well established, licensed contractors who have submitted in writing and who have placed price bids for the work.
By Terri H.
Post Feedback: Click Here
Be aware that credit card with rebates, cash back, travel awards or other perks could have higher fees.
By Terri H.
Post Feedback: Click Here
Losing Gas From a Loose Gas Cap
More gas is wasted by people not completely fastening their vehicle's gas cap after putting gasoline in. Screw it in until you hear a clicking sound, otherwise it'll either spill out or evaporate. With the price of gas these days, make the most of each tankful!
By Terri H.
Editor's Note: Also a good reason to replace a lost gas cap ASAP.
Post Feedback: Click Here
Tulie and Lights - Inexpensive Festive Decoration
With all of the weddings, proms and anniversary events coming up, don't forget that tulle (in any color) with twinkle lights behind it makes an inexpensive festive decoration that can go a long way!
By Fivemeyers
Post Feedback: Click Here
Dusting With an Air Compressor
You can purchase these at hardware stores, flea markets, etc. we have one and I keep it in my house, plus you can purchase air tanks to use separate. I use a small air compressor for dusting, blowing dust off of curtains etc. I love it.
By Vickie Hovis
Post Feedback: Click Here
If you have carrots that are older and limp just soak them for about 30 minutes in cold water. They will be crisp again!
By Robin
Post Feedback: Click Here
I thought the tips about calming puppies were awesome! I, too, have worked with dogs a lot, not in fostering, but I have been a groomer and worked for 2 vets. We own two adult dogs who can have some separation anxiety problems when we are away from home on vacations and such. We have a very reliable person come 4 times each day that we are gone to care for them, but they still seem to go through some tough times so we have started leaving the radio on the entire time we are gone. It doesn't use that much electricity and it's nice not to come home to the after affects of severe separation anxiety!
By Robin
Post Feedback: Click Here
A friend read a news article about getting rid of ROACHES and BY GEORGE -- it works!
Mix:
1/4 cup shortening or bacon drippings
1/8 c sugar
8 ozs. boric acid (found where canning items are,usually)
1/2 c flour
1/2 small onion chopped (optional)
Enough water to make a soft dough
Mix the shortening and sugar together until they form a creamy mixture. Mix the boric acid,flour and onion, then add to the shortening mixture. Blend well, then add just enough water to form a soft dough. Shape into small balls or just drop globs into an open plastic sandwich bag to keep them moist longer. When the dough gets hard it's time to replace it. Place these balls throughout the house: under sinks, behind appliances, etc. The food attracts the roach and it will eat it or absorb it.
BE SURE to label the bags and keep these away from CHILDREN and PETS because it is poisonous! I GUARANTEE it works!
By Sharon Shearer
Post Feedback: Click Here
When taking a prescription medication for a long time, you might want to consider calling a mail order pharmacy. I'm told they often charge lower prices than your local pharmacy.
By Terri H.
Post Feedback: Click Here
When considering home repairs when you don't plan on doing the work yourself, don't sign any contract that requires full payment before a satisfactory job is finished. Or it'll end up costing you more later, as you'll have to find a new person to do the work, when the previous person ran off with your money without completing the job.
By Terri H.
Post Feedback: Click Here
When home repairs are needed where you can't do them yourself, select well established, licensed contractors who have submitted in writing and who have placed price bids for the work.
By Terri H.
Post Feedback: Click Here
Be aware that credit card with rebates, cash back, travel awards or other perks could have higher fees.
By Terri H.
Post Feedback: Click Here
Losing Gas From a Loose Gas Cap
More gas is wasted by people not completely fastening their vehicle's gas cap after putting gasoline in. Screw it in until you hear a clicking sound, otherwise it'll either spill out or evaporate. With the price of gas these days, make the most of each tankful!
By Terri H.
Editor's Note: Also a good reason to replace a lost gas cap ASAP.
Post Feedback: Click Here
Tulle and Lights - Inexpensive Festive Decoration
With all of the weddings, proms and anniversary events coming up, don't forget that tulle (in any color) with twinkle lights behind it makes an inexpensive festive decoration that can go a long way!
By Fivemeyers
Post Feedback: Click Here
Dusting With an Air Compressor
You can purchase these at hardware stores, flea markets, etc. we have one and I keep it in my house, plus you can purchase air tanks to use separate. I use a small air compressor for dusting, blowing dust off of curtains etc. I love it.
By Vickie Hovis
Post Feedback: Click Here
I save my empty laundry detergent boxes to make cheap magazine holders. They can be cut on an angle like the ones seen in office supply stores or just left uncut. I then spray paint them or cover with contact paper and plop my magazines inside.
By Tori
Post Feedback: Click Here
Preserve Outdoor Summer Decorations
After years of having my summer outdoor decorations ruined by sunlight or just general weathering, I came across a tip on the internet and have been using it ever since with good results. Spray your items with a couple coats of a clear acrylic spray like Krylon makes.
These sprays come in matte, satin, or glossy finish. Use a matte finish if you want your item's appearance to stay the same. I have used these sprays on items made of wood, metal, wrought iron, resin, plastic, rubber, plaster, ceramic, etc. and have sprayed wind chimes, lawn ornaments, trellises, etc. This really helps to extend their useful life and prevents you from having to replace them so often.
By Tori
Post Feedback: Click Here
Have Christmas gifts purchased by August and wrapped by September and you will have a relaxed holiday season!
By Bev Sobkowich
Post Feedback: Click Here
Quick Way to Sort Kids Clothing
Instead of trying all those clothes on my kids each season to see what fits (and my kids get tired after the first outfit), I lay an outfit (pants and shirt) that fit them just right on the bed as a pattern. I then lay the clothes on top the pattern outfit. Anything shorter or smaller than what is on the pattern outfit goes into the resale pile. This is very quick way to sort kids clothes.
By Jamie
Post Feedback: Click Here
For my daughter's recent birthday party, I wanted everything to be special, but (as always) we were on a strict budget. I came up with a simple but adorable idea for goody bags!
I bought brightly colored craft bags (like lunch bags but in neon colors) and punched a hole in one corner while it was still folded (through both sides and the fold). I then strung white paper ribbon through the hole. I had purchased artifical hibiscus flowers and beads for leis, and I strung them on each end of the ribbon. Tied in a loop, the ribbon made a perfect handle for the bag. I stencilled each girl's name on the bag, and VOILA!
Very pretty goody bags for less than twenty cents each!
JodiS
Post Feedback: Click Here
Ingredients:
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Arrange fresh or frozen kernels on baking sheet and toast for 1/2 hour to 45 minutes. Stir as needed. For Dip: Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve at room temperature with corn chips.
By Robin
View Article: Click Here
Ingredients:
Directions:
Mix in large bowl:1 1/2 cup flour, sugar, salt, and the undissolved dry yeast. Add the margarine. Gradually add very warm water to dry ingredients and beat 2 minutes at medium speed of mixer, scraping bowl frequently. Add eggs and 1/2 cup flour. Beat 2 minutes at high speed. Stir in enough additional flour to make a soft dough. Cover, let rise until double (about 35 minutes). Stir down and turn into 2 greased casseroles. Cover, let rise until double (about 40 minutes). Bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes or until done. Remove from casseroles and cool on wire racks. Butter top crust.
By Robin
View Article: Click Here
Ingredients:
Directions:
Blend together until finely mixed: 2 cup all purpose flour, 2 cup brown sugar, and stick of margarine. Reserve 3/4 cup crumb mixture for topping. Add balance of flour mixed with soda, salt, and cinnamon. Add buttermilk, vanilla, and egg; do not over mix. Place in buttered 9x13 inch pan; sprinkle on topping. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Optional: May add either, 1 cup chocolate chips or 1 cup raisins or 1 cup chopped nuts.
By Robin
View Article: Click Here
Ingredients:
Directions:
Sift flour, salt, baking powder, sugar. Beat egg, add milk and butter. Then mix into dry ingredients. Mix quickly using not over 20 strokes. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. We always add fresh cream on top and fresh strawberries!
By Robin
View Article: Click Here
Ingredients:
Directions:
Mix in order given. POur in 8x5x2 3/4 inch pan. Bake at 325-350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
By Robin
View Article: Click Here
Be sure to check out our active topics page to follow the discussion.
http://www.thriftyfun.com/board.html
Tip Contest
Submit a tip and you could win:
New Contest Prize! Now a $50.00 Gift Card
In our newest contest we are giving away a $50.00 Gift Card at one of the following stores: Home Depot, Jo-Ann's Crafts or Amazon.com. If you are the winner, you get to choose which gift card! We figured it would be more valuable if you pick out your own prize, that's why we have decided to go the gift card route. This contest will end on April 15th.
Syndication Spotlight:
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
New Requests:
Feedback About Wal-Mart Carpet Shampooers
I have an older model carpet shampooer and has no rotator brush. It just sprays out the water and sucks it back up. Can anyone tell me how good those shampooers are that you rent from Walmart (or the supermarkets) and do you have to buy the soap that goes with it? My friend swears by them, but she has no kids and her carpet isn't that dirty to begin with.
Thanks!
Kim
Post Feedback: Click Here
I recently bought an old player piano. The keys are really yellow and I have tried many cleaners and nothing seems to be working at whitening the keys. Any suggestions?
Judy from PA
Post Feedback: Click Here
Need Help Cleaning a Laminate Hard Wood Floor
I have been using a swiffer with the hardwood flooring solution to clean my kitchen laminate hardwood floor (Pergo). This has seemed to be the only thing I could do as misting water with any solution only resulted in spots all over my floor unless I got on my hands and knees and dried it right after washing.
I've noticed that my floor has started to lose its luster (I'm not sure if it's age or the swiffer solution) so I tried Murphys Oil Soap (the kind that you spray directly from the bottle on your floor) it worked GREAT... until you walked on it (with or without socks), then it left feet marks all over, it looked almost greasy.
Can anyone help me?
Sheila from Michigan
Post Feedback: Click Here
Buying Tights for school uniforms is just far too expensive, especially when your teacher's are far too strict! for example my Headmistress told me to throw away and not wear these tights to school again, just because of one small ladder!
Nicola
Does anyone have any tips for saving money on tights?
Post Feedback: Click Here
Putting Tiling Over Laminate Countertop?
I saw the discussion a few weeks ago about painting over laminate, and it got me wondering about tiling over laminate countertops. Will the adhesive stick if you sand the countertops?
Jen
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My mom is so happy about my 13th birthday and she is spending sooooo much money. She is taking 5 kids to wild adventures amusement park (www.wildadventures.net) and she is taking us to a Ryan Cabrera concert. We are renting a hotel and staying overnight. I feel really guilty. How can I show my mom that I care and appreciate everything she's doing? Something that's better than a "thank you" and better than a box of chocolate.
Haley
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Keeping Birds Out Of Boston Ferns
How do I keep the birds out of my Boston ferns hanging on my porch?
Wendy
Post Feedback: Click Here
Transporting a Bike From British Columbia to Ontario
Can anyone tell me what is the cheapest way to send a bicycle from B.C. to Ontario. Our daughter has been living temporarily in Vancouver and now wants to move back home to Ontario. She has purchased a bike and wants to ship it home; funds are limted. My question is... 'What is the least expensive way to do this...train, plane or a courier such as Purolator?' Any advice would be welcome. Thanks in advance
-Karen from Ontario
Post Feedback: Click Here
Theme Ideas Graduation Party at our Church
I am hosting the graduation party at our church this year again. I have had many themes and just simply ran out of ideas. I need some help.
Youthleaderswife from Ohio
Post Feedback: Click Here
Looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem? Submit your request here: Click Here
Today's Sponsors
11 Craft Designs By House of Greathouse
Just $5.00 (including shipping) for instructions on how to make 11 unique craft designs on CD. For more information and pictures of the crafts visit:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/columnists/harlean.html
More Reading:
Ideas For Decorating A Baby Nursery
By Glenn Sarault
Of all the decorating you do in your home, nothing is more joyous than decorating your baby's nursery. The experience your baby has in the nursery has a lot to say about his or her health and development over the long term. Here are some helpful hints if you are preparing that most special of places.
View Article: Click Here
How to Make Your Own Printable Invitations for Any Occasion
By Criss White
Even with modern technology like email and cell phones, printed invitations have remained the most common way to let people know about your upcoming party and will continue to remain popular due to the timeless rules of party etiquette. Invitations can be a major cost, especially for large parties, like weddings and some baby showers. However, with a little creativity and time, you can make your own printable invitations, even if you have no artistic skills.
View Article: Click Here
Helping Your Kid's Grow a Garden
By Rondi Hillstrom Davis
Start some gardening traditions with your kids. Give them their own garden patch and a spot to dig. Children love getting their hands dirty and watching things grow.
View Article: Click Here
Who Own The Backyard?
By Steve Goodier
Vicki Huffman, in PLUS LIVING (Harold Shaw Publishers, 1989), tells about a man who loved to hunt and bought two pedigreed setters that he trained to be fine bird dogs. He kept them in a large, fenced pen in his backyard.
View Article: Click Here
Improving Nutrition and a Healthy Meal
By Monica Resinger
In an effort to improve my family's nutrition, I have been making a lot of healthy changes to our diet over the past few years. As a mother, I am responsible for feeding my family, their nutrition and teaching them nutrition.
View Article: Click Here
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