Daily Thrifty Tips
Volume Four, Number 18, January 18, 2005
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello,
Tomorrow we plan on opening our Valentine's Day topic site. If you have any Valentine's Day tips feel free to submit them.
This Friday's TF News will be about potatoes! If you have any potato tips or recipes, feel free to submit them. We planned on doing an issue about controlling monthly expenses, but have decided to just put that information in the Daily instead.
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Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Photo Contest Entries:
- Taking Pictures of Snow
- Dillinger (Pit Bull, Rotti mix)
Today's Tips:
- Storing Christmas Ornaments In Luggage
- Cleaning Baby Car Seats
- Take A Break, You Deserve It
- Getting Organized With Photo Albums
- Bar Of Soap For Kids
- Creative Way To Give the Gift of Money
- Absorbing Smoke Odor
- Keeping Water Marks off Faucets and Sinks
- Use for Self Stick Curlers - Cactus Holders
- Keeping Squirrels off of Fruit Trees
- Gift Wrap for Oils or Wine
- Clean The Shower, Then Take a Shower
- Maid Rites
- Pizza Casserole
- Applesauce Salad
- Bacon and Egg Lasagne
- Quick Mixed Vegetables
- Ham Loaf
- Upside Down Pizza
- Porcupine Meatballs
New Requests:
- Permanent marker on walls, doors and heat registers.
- Liquid Foundation On White Cotton Jumper
- Grease Stains on Suede Boots
- Planning a dance for my daughter's 13th birthday
- Looking For Pattern For Baby Hi-Top Sneakers
- How do I dry rose petals for potpourri and sachets?
- Operating a Garbage Disposal
- Making a Good Cup of Coffee
More Reading:
- 10 Tips for Peaceful Crafting with the Kids
- Say "I Love You" For Valentine's Day
- Food and Health - Cook From Scratch and Eat Fresh Food
Search ThriftyFun Using Google: Click Here
Today's Sponsor
Eversave.com...
Eversave.com is your one stop source for online coupons, brand
name savings, free samples and much more.
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Today's Photo Contest Entries
Taking Pictures of Snow
Usually I am ranting against the use of flash with digital pictures, and that flash should only be used for pictures of a mother-in-law and police mugshots, with very few exceptions.
One of the very few exceptions is when you try to capture falling snow.
Click here for a larger version.
Don't expect big, beautiful snow flakes in night pictures, however, you can capture the mood by using a one second or longer shot and highlight it with a short flash.
DearWebby
http://webby.com/humor
View Article: Click Here
Dillinger (Pit Bull, Rotti mix)
This is Dillinger. He will be five in March and he is a Pit Bull and Rotti mix. He loves all animals and children. He is truly a gentle giant! He loves to wear costumes. Dillinger is a very brave boy to pose with his daddy in this cute Halloween picture. He has several costumes - hula boy, skeleton, biker and this one is his pimp costume! The only thing he doesn't like is the vacuum cleaner. His favorite game is hide and seek but he loves learning new tricks and usually learns one withint 2-3 tries. He is a very smart boy! He obviously loves his toys - especially football! I rescued him from an animal shelter four years ago.
Thank you!
Cheryl Mercer
View Article: Click Here
Submit a tip with a photo or a pet description with a photo and you could win a prize. You can enter the photo contest here:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/photo_contest.ldml
Today's Tips
Storing Christmas Ornaments In Luggage
I've been hunting mouse proof storage for my Christmas decorations and ornaments. This year I purchase several pieces of used hard-sided luggage at the local thrift store for a very low price. Sorry mice friends!
By Jonna Marsh
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Cleaning Baby Car Seats
We have four children in car seats and inevitably one of them throws up while in their car seat. Some of the seats are so difficult and cumbersome to remove the covering and get to all the areas to clean. So, we now bring the completely intact car seat to one of those "do it yourself" spray car washes. Place the seat where the car goes and power spray it down! It works EVERY time and there has never been any left over smell and I am positive it is 100% clean. It actually saves time from trying to disassemble and find all the offending particles.
By Lisa Peterson
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Take A Break, You Deserve It
Now that the holidays are over and we find that we need to "charge our batteries" take a little break and treat yourselves with a rewarding day. You've worked hard preparing, hosting, cleaning, etc.
Today my husband and I went to a movie "Christmas with the Kranks", great for a few laughs and we all need to laugh once in a while. Then we went out to lunch with a gift certificate. It was so nice not to have to play BEAT THE CLOCK, like we've been playing for the last month or so. We are going to try and do this once a week.
Life is too short to get caught up in keeping so busy that you sometimes don't find quality time for each other. This will be one of my New Years resolutions.
By joesgirl
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Getting Organized With Photo Albums
Well, I finally did it after all these years. I purchased a great Christmas Photo Album at Christmas Tree Shop at a reduced price of $1.00 (from $4.00).. It has a holiday motif on the front and back and has 2 clear pockets on each page with a total of 100 pages. Seeing that my children are now grown and have kids of their own I have accumulated many, many Christmas pictures. Also from the time my oldest child celebrated her 1st Christmas with a picture taken with Santa until my youngest child finished celebrating by having her picture taken with Santa the annual Santa photos really mounted up.
Each and every one was in a heavy paper frame and every year I would put them all on the coffee table to peek at. For years I've been saying "one of these days I'm going to put them in a nice photo album so that they can be nice and neat and put together". Well I finally did it. I feel like I accomplished so much by doing that one little thing.
I also purchased a larger photo album and gathered up all of my grandchildren's pictures that were in picture frames scattered throughout my home. I put them all in the album and categorized them by their age from the oldest to the newest pictures. The only exception is that I put the newest one out to be displayed in my home. This is my year to be organized. Join me as it is a good feeling and now I don't have as much dusting to do.
By joesgirl
View Article: Click Here
Bar Of Soap For Kids
Got kids? Do they constantly drop the bar of soap when bathing? Do they have trouble keeping a grip on it with their little fingers? Cheap solution. Find some pantyhose you no longer wear, cut off at the foot. Drop the bar of soap in the foot part and tie a knot at the end. Now it's easier to keep a grip! My kids use this technique everyday and it works great! It's much cheaper than buying the costly kids soaps with attached netting. You can't re-use those!
By joelen
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Creative Way To Give the Gift of Money
When you want to give a gift of money for a special occasion, try this:
Let's say you want to give $50.00 cash, buy 5 helium balloons with long strings, at the end of strings tie a $10.00 bill. Pack in a LARGE box and tape loosely. Wrap as usual.
On the card please make sure you write "Please open this gift indoors" (You don't want your gift to end up halfway across the country!) When they open their gift, everyone will ooh and aah over the balloons bursting out of the box!
Keep in mind that you will also have to factor in the cost of wrapping paper, bows, balloons, card etc. Total gift cost about $60.00, and they will love the unique way of receiving your gift of money, and will tell the story for years to come and maybe use the idea themselves!
By sbolstad
View Article: Click Here
Absorbing Smoke Odor
If you have a smoker in your home and want to control the smell of smoke, put dry coffee grounds (any flavor or kind) into the ashtrays. It will absorb the odor. Can be used in vehicle ashtrays as well.
By Terry
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Keeping Water Marks off Faucets and Sinks
To keep water marks off your sinks and faucets, use baby oil on them. Put the baby oil on to a cloth and wipe down your sink and your faucet. Works well on stainless steel too. I've also used it on my backsplash which is made of silver metal sheeting.
By Terry
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Use for Self Stick Curlers - Cactus Holders
What to do with those self stick curlers that just lay around in the bathroom in all different colors? They make great cactus plant holders! fill them with dirt, and water little. They keep the cactus dried out enough to grow, and make a beautiful cluster, stuck together!
By Sandy in Kansas
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Keeping Squirrels off of Fruit Trees
Keeping squirrels from harvesting your apples and pears. Puncture a hole in a few aluminum pie plates, tie them singly with twine to the lower branches of your fruit trees. The clanging will scare them away.
By Chell
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Gift Wrap for Oils or Wine
If you are giving a bottle of gourmet oils or vinegars as a gift, or a bottle of wine for that matter, slip it into an oven mitt (so that the top of the bottle sticks out of the wrist opening of the mitt). Then tie a festive bow around the top to hold the mitt in place. The "wrapping" becomes part of the gift. If you like, you can tuck matching potholders and/or dishcloths in the mitt, too. This is especially appropriate for housewarming or wedding shower gifts!
By Becki in Indiana
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Clean The Shower, Then Take a Shower
I hate to clean the shower, I get all wet! So I go IN "prepared to take a shower", and bring my cleaning tools with me. Then I turn on the water clean the shower, then shower myself!.
CAUTION - don't use chemicals that may cause skin irritations! Silly, but makes cleaning the shower a little more fun!
By Kate
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Maid Rites
As you will be able to tell by this recipe, it is for a crowd of people! Very well liked!
Ingredients:
- 15 lbs. lean hamburger
- 1 gallon Hunts catsup
- Salt to taste
- 1 large onion
- 1/4 cup prepared mustard
Directions:
Spray iron skillet with Pam. Fry hamburger until it turns color. Salt as you fry it. Put in a large roaster. Add catsup and mustard; stir well. Place whole onion on top of meat in roaster, roast 2 hours at 325 degrees, stirring occasionally. Discard onion before serving if desired. Serves about 75 Maid Rites in large buns. Can be made ahead and frozen.
By Robin
View Article: Click Here
Pizza Casserole
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. hamburger (browned with a little onion)
- 1 jar pizza sauce
- 2 cups uncooked wide noodles
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1 pkg. pepperoni or Canadian bacon
Directions:
Mix first 5 ingredients together and put in a greased 9x13 inch pan. Arrange pepperoni slices on top and sprinkle with 1 cup or more mozzarella cheese. Bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees.
By Robin
View Article: Click Here
Applesauce Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 pkg. sugar-free raspberry or lime Jello
- 2 oz. unsweetened orange juice
- 6 oz. sugar-free lemon-lime soft drink
Directions:
Heat applesauce until it's hot enough to dissolve the Jello. Stir in remaining ingredients. Pour into 8x8 inch pan and chill in refrigerator
By Robin
View Article: Click Here
Bacon and Egg Lasagne
Ingredients:
- 12 lasagne noodles (cooked and drained)
- 1 lb. bacon (cut in 1 inch strips)
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1/3 cup bacon drippings
- 1/3 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 2 Tbsp. chopped parsley
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
- 4 cups milk
- 12 hard cooked eggs (sliced)
- 2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions:
In large skillet, cook bacon until crisp; drain, reserving 1/3 cup drippings. Set bacon aside. Cook onions in bacon drippings until tender. Add flour, salt, and pepper. Stir until a paste forms.
Add milk; cook and stir until mixture comes to a boil and is thickened.
Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 9x13 inch baking dish. Spoon a small amount of white sauce into bottom of pan. Divide lasagne noodles, bacon, white sauce, eggs, and Swiss cheese into thirds; layer in pan. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Sprinkle with parsley. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Makes 12 servings. Can be made the day before.
By Robin
View Article: Click Here
Quick Mixed Vegetables
Ingredients:
- Frozen Broccoli Florets
- Frozen Green Giant Niblets in Butter
- Seasoning Salt or Salt and Pepper (Optional)
- Butter (Optional)
- Red, White, or Yellow Onion (Optional)
This recipe has no exact amounts. Add as much of each as you want. Season to your own taste. Can be made in microwave or on top of stove. Takes 10 minutes at the most. Very delicious.
On Stove:
Cook vegetables in separate pots according to package directions. Add chopped onion to broccoli at beginning of cooking. Add butter and seasonings to broccoli. Remove each vegetable from heat and mix together in same serving dish.
Microwave:
Add corn, broccoli, and onion to same microwave safe container. Cover and cook for 8 minutes or until all are soft. Add seasoning and/or butter to taste. Stir and serve.
* Butter and seasonings are optional because the butter sauce from the corn is kind of salty.
By LilMsBax
View Article: Click Here
Ham Loaf
I know a lot of people eat ham on New Year's day because they are all turkeyed out. Here is a great recipe for your left over ham.
Ham Loaf
Preheat oven to 350°F
Ingredients:
- 1-1/2 lbs. ground cooked ham
- 1 lb. lean ground pork
- 3/4 cup crushed graham crackers
- 1/2 cup low-fat (1%) milk
- 1/4 cup shredded carrot
- 1/4 cup finely chopped yellow onion
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1 large egg white, lightly beaten
- 1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/2 tsp. onion powder
- 2 tbsp. vinegar
Directions:
In a large bowl, mix the ground ham, pork, graham crackers, milk, carrot, onion, pepper, egg and egg white.
In a shallow baking pan, shape the meat mixture into a loaf. Smooth the top. Bake for 1 hour, drain off fat
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar and onion powder. Spoon half of the mixture over the meat after the first hour. Bake for 15 - 30 minutes more.
Serve with the remaining ketchup mixture
Makes 8 servings
By Darlene in Mississauga
View Article: Click Here
Upside Down Pizza
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds hamburger
- 1 Jar pizza sauce
- 3 cups Mozzarella Cheese
- 1 package crescent rolls
Directions:
Cook 2 pounds hamburger till browned, drain. Then add 1 jar pizza sauce and stir. Place in 9x13 inch pan top with 3 cups mozzarella cheese and 1 package crescent rolls unrolled and placed on top. Cook at 350F for 10-15 minutes or till crescent rolls are browned.
By imaqt1962
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Porcupine Meatballs
I usually add homemade mashed potatoes and a veggie to round out this cheap but filling meal.
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds hamburger
- 1 1/2 to 2 cups uncooked minute rice
- 1 can of tomato juice
Directions:
Mix 2 pounds of hamburger and 1 1/2 -2 cups uncooked minute rice. Then form into meatballs. Add 1 can tomato juice and cook until browned
By imaqt1962
View Article: Click Here
Other Active Topics
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! $30.00 Gift Card
In our newest contest we are giving away a $30.00 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 January 15th.
Enter the contest!
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:
Permanent marker on walls, doors and heat registers.
We manage an apartment complex and some children used permanent markers on the walls, doors and heat registers. Besides repainting with expensive silver paint, is there anything we can use to remove this?
Dawn from Wisconsin
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Liquid Foundation On White Cotton Jumper
I have a liquid foundation stain on a white cotton jumper and have had no luck in getting it out! Bleaching was unsuccessful so I'm hoping someone has a miracle solution as this is a favourite jumper.
Susan from Sydney
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Grease Stains on Suede Boots
I have some pink suede boots that i recieved for Christmas. My little sister left the top off of a container, so now they have oil stains on them. Is there any possible way to get them out or cover them?
Deborah
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Planning a dance for my daughter's 13th birthday
My daughter will turn 13 in July and I am wanting to have her a dance for her birthday. I am looking for any ideas on how to decorate the hall. I am also looking for games they can play during the day so any ideas would be helpful.
Michelle from Texas
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Looking For Pattern For Baby Hi-Top Sneakers
I am desperately looking for an Annie's Attic pattern (approx 1983) for baby hi-top sneakers. The sole is white, tongue is red, sides are navy & green, trimmed in yellow. There are a couple other patterns in the book. I had it and I think during our hurricane cleanup it got thrown away. Many thanks,
Cindy from Florida
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How do I dry rose petals for potpourri and sachets?
Can someone tell me how to dry rose petals for sachet and potpourri? I've also started making my own essential oils. Do I NOT dry the petals for the oils? How do I do that as well. The organic market that I frequent saves their flower petals from the flowers that are not quite up to snuff and sells them for crafts like this. I've told the management there that I appreciate them doing this. I wish all markets did this. This market is the first one I've ever seen that does it!
Jenny in KY
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Operating a Garbage Disposal
Could I please have a list for do's and don'ts for a garbage disposal,
Thank you,
downunder
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Making a Good Cup of Coffee
Hello Thrifty Friends,
I was wanting to know if there is a secret to making a good cup of coffee? I also have a clean pot and start with cold water, is there anything else I need besides the coffee. Mine never seems to taste that good. I like the taste you find in most restuarants.
Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Teresa
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Looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem? Submit
your request here: Click Here
Today's Sponsor
Eversave.com...
Eversave.com is your one stop source for online coupons, brand
name savings, free samples and much more.
Eversave.com
More Reading:
10 Tips for Peaceful Crafting with the Kids
By Angela Billings
Are you looking for ways to keep craft time with your children simple and fun? If so, I hope you will put some of the following suggestions to use.
View Article: Click Here
Say "I Love You" For Valentine's Day
By Jeffrey Strain
With Valentine's Day just around the corner, it's time to start thinking about the perfect gift for the one you love. Whether you are looking for something special on a tight budget or would simply like to add on something special to another gift, there's no better way to express your love than by saying it in a variety of languages.
View Article: Click Here
Food and Health - Cook From Scratch and Eat Fresh Food
It is very quick and easy to put together recipes using boxes of cake mix, prepared breakfast cereals and tins of soup or vegetables, etc. But, please, for the health of your family, do this as little as possible. If you look at the labels of commercially prepared foods, you'll soon realize that you are feeding them masses of sugars, salt, fats and a cocktail of chemicals which are detrimental to their bodies.
View Article: Click Here
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