Daily Thrifty Tips - May 7, 2007

Our garage sale was a success. It was a bit cold so there weren't a lot of people out and about, but we still did well. We got rid of loads of VHS tapes that we will probably never watch, since we have switched to DVD. We also sold old computer equipment (some not even working) and did well with that as well. All in all, it's nice to get rid of some "stuff".

If you aren't subscribed to the Saving Money on Newsletter (ThriftyFun News), be sure to check out the Saving Money on Gas article in the More Reading of this newsletter. There are a lot of great tips.

This week's Saving Money On topic is about Car Repairs and Maintenance. If you have any tips to share, please submit them here:

http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf188258.tip.html

Here are the contest winners for the week before last.

Tip Contest Winners

Cookie Of The Month Present
By Karen from Easthampton, MA

Reuse a Paint Canvas as a Memo Board
By April from Albany, GA

Photo Contest Winner

Strawberry Pot Side Table
By Chanon Landenberg from Knoxville, TN

Thank you to everyone that took time to submit something.

Thanks for reading,

Susan

• Send to a Friend!
• Share a Tip (You could win $25!)
• Share a Photo (You could win $25!)
• Have a Question? Submit a request...
• Link to ThriftyFun.com
• View Active Topics!

Edit Your Subscriptions: To edit your ThriftyFun subscriptions, click the Update Profile/Email Address link at the bottom of this newsletter.

Crafting for Fun and Money!

If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish.

More Information:
Click Here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml

Potpourri Sachet

This is a simple sewing project that is great for gifts, and many can be made in under an hour.

View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf83645189.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

"Bloomin' Straws" Bouquet for Mother's Day!

The part that takes the longest on this craft is the cutting, but once the cutting is finished, the "flower arranging" is easy and fun.

View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf15908172.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Make a Bear at Home

For my daughters 6th birthday, she wanted to take her little friends to BUILD A BEAR WORKSHOP. That's way out of my price range! So while I was shopping for things to do for her party, I was in JoAnn Fabrics and I saw Make a Bear kits. They come with a bear, stuffing and clothes. All you do is stuff them, dress them and they velcro shut. They also come with a certificate of adoption. The best part was that they were half price, 5 bucks! the kids loved them and so did I.

By Tracy from Battle Creek, MI

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf31741531.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Dakota (Siberian Husky)

Because I never really introduced Dakota, I decided I would today. Dakota is a purebred Siberian Husky that was born in Hawaii on November 22, 2006. He enjoys going to the Humane Society dog park and mingling with other dogs. His favorite food are bananas and ice cubes. He is currently 5 months old and living a spoiled life! Find him on dogster!

I was at the dog park with Dakota and all of the sudden he ran to this lady coming in. When the lady entered I noticed her dog looked almost exactly like Dakota! Dakota was really happy and they were wrestling right away. It turned out that its was Dakota's brother! The woman that had him bought him from the same breeder I had. She said her dog was born in November and so was Dakota! What are the chances of that! LET ME TELL YOU, THEM TWO ARE IDENTICAL! (DAKOTAS ON THE LEFT!)

Jessamyn from Honolulu, HI

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf79442522.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Coffee Can Composting

Save one of the new kinds of large plastic coffee cans to make a quick counter top compost bin! Label clearly so everyone knows what it is. When it's full, empty it into a corner of your garden until ready to use it!

By melody_yesterday from Sedalia, MO

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf618622.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

• Tip Contest
  Submit a Tip or Recipe!

• Photo Contest
  Submit a tip with photo!

These contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25!

• My Frugal Life
  Submit a My Frugal Life Essay!

Free Email Greeting Cards From Amazon

Amazon.com has free emailed greeting cards. You have the option of including a gift certificate to Amazon or not.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/ecards/homepage/103-5916391-6819809

By Holly from Richardson, TX

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf77399490.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Solar Lights For Indoor Lighting

I would like to submit the following tip to your newsletters. Maybe it will help some folks!

There was a recent tip in the Dollar Stretcher newsletter about using a solar yard lamp during a thunderstorm. I can take that one step further.

When I lived with two roommates, we had little extra spending money. We were always looking for ways to save a buck or two. Electricity was one area where we thought we had done enough, but we were wrong!

During a trip to a local hardware store to pick up some nails, we noticed that there were two types of solar yard lamps available - fixed (on a spike or stake), or hanging (from a hook, sometimes connected to a stake). We saw that it was only $20 for a three-pack of solar lamps (I've since seen four packs for the same price, on sale). We bought two packs of them and six of those pretty plant hangers that people sometimes use for their hanging plants (the ones that look like pretty shelf brackets, but with hooks).

When we got home, we mounted the plant hangers over or next to four windows in our house and put the solar lamps on them. Then, we hung the other two on the house, next to the front and back doors. In the late afternoon or early evening, we would open up the blinds to allow the sunlight to "charge" the indoor lights. The outdoor lights took care of themselves. At night, we had free household lighting that would last until sunrise if we'd charged them long enough! We kept a piece of nice material in rooms that we needed to sleep in, in order to cover the lights when it was time to go to sleep.

The day after we started doing this, we had a neighbor call us to let us know that we'd left both our porch lights on overnight. We asked if it had disturbed her.

"No," she said, "I was just worried about your electric bill. Actually, I felt safer when I came home from work and they were on, because I could see to put my key into the lock!" "Well," said my roommate, "You'll feel safer every night then, because we're leaving them on from now on. In fact, we can't turn them off! They're solar lamps and the power is free!"

I hope that this tip is useful to all of you and to your readers.

Thanks,

Miss Elisha

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf57114170.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Easy Rooting Instructions

Root your plants and shrubs by cutting a small piece from your plant. Take a paper napkin or paper towel and fold it to hold a handful of garden soil. Place the bottom of the plant in soil and wrap the napkin around the bottom of the plant. Tie with a rubberband to keep soil from falling out and place it in a freezer type zip lock bag. Moisten dirt, not soggy and close ziplock bag. Place in a window and forget it for about 6 weeks. Wala, you now have a plant with roots. This works very well with roses also!

By Sharon from Florida

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf82887054.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

CD or DVD Cases for Photos

I have this creative mind that causes me to see all kinds of possibilities for what someone else might think is trash. You know those CD and DVD holders? Well, they make great picture frames! Just open your CD and take out the papers in it. You have to pry one side of it to get the paper out but if you are careful it can be done without damaging the holder. Just put your picture in and close. Walla! You now have a frame that is simple and you can make a great arrangement of them on your walls.

The DVD is very simple, you take out the picture on outside of DVD and put your picture in. No glass to break either. Another idea with the DVD is that you could hide something inside like money or special momentoes that go with picture, etc. To put on wall, you could use those little sticky glues you get in the craft departments. They come on a roll of paper and are just dots of glue (like hot glue). You could add magnets to the back like I did and put them on the fridge. The CD and DVD holders are so light that it doesn't take much for them to stick to the wall. If you have any questions, just email me. Have fun!

By Priscilla from Inverness, Florida

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf68057169.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

An Apple a Day Dog Treat

Ingredients

• 2 cups whole-wheat flour
• 1/2 cup unbleached flour
• 1/2 cup cornmeal
• 1 apple, chopped or grated
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
• 3/8 cup water

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray cookie sheet with vegetable oil spray. Lightly dust work surface with flour. Blend flours and cornmeal in large mixing bowl. Add apple, egg, oil, brown sugar and water. Mix until well blended. On work surface, roll dough out to 7/8 inch thickness. Cut with cookie cutters of desired shape and size.

Place treats on prepared sheet. Bake in preheated oven 35 to 40 minutes. Turn off oven. Leave door closed for 1 hour to make the treats crispy. Remove treats from oven. Store baked treats in airtight container or plastic bag, and place in refrigerator or freezer.

Recipe makes 24 servings.

Excerpted from http://www.fifty-fantastic-recipes.com/dog.htm

By Bonnie Jo Davis from RSM, CA

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf37855024.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Kitchen Shears for Kitchen Chores

As the saying goes, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." Not true, I'm 80 and have adopted a new "trick". Our habits are strong, but when I heard that many chefs use scissors for many cooking chores, I decided to give it a try. They are great timesavers to use in place of knives! Cut up raw chicken for stir frys, leftover meats for casseroles, cut up peppers, pre-slices onions. Scissors, in 'my book' are better and faster and cleaner than a special wheel cutter for dividing pizza, too! Keep your special food scissors handy and clean!

By Janet from Conway, NH

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf50526560.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

No Housework for Mom on Mother's Day

The thing I enjoy the most for Mother's Day, is to have a whole day without housework! My husband and kids take care of everything for that day and I get breakfast in bed. Depending on the weather, we also do a family day out (park, walk on boardwalk, mall) Cost? $0! Priceless!

By Kim from Howell, NJ

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf56563173.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Cleaning Glass Shelves

How do you keep glass shelf in a curio cabinet sparkling clean?

Pat from Cedar Hill, TX

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf14009250.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Carpenter Ants and Termites

Does anyone have an eco-friendly way to rid a home of carpenter ants or termites short of replacing all the infected wood?

CC from Northern IN

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf75975004.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Wart Removal

What is the best way to remove a wart? I have one on my arm.

Tippy

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf45590623.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Cigarette Smoke Coming Up Through My Vents

Is there any "green" way to get rid of cigarette smoke coming out of an air conditioner vent? I live in an upstairs apt. and person below smokes and it comes thru my AC vents and I have serious sensitivity to it. I've sprayed with vinegar, used lemons, but nothing seems to help.

Rhonda from River Ridge, LA

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf41408268.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Making Wood Chips From Firewood

I have a whole bunch of old firewood that's too dry to burn and a serious lack of wood chips. I was wondering if anyone knows whether or not it's a good idea to try tossing them into a wood chipper. My gut tells me it's a bad idea because they're chunks of firewood, but then who knows? I'm sure there are crazier people than me who've tried it. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Hardiness Zone: 5a

Beth from MA

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf24542804.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

No Fat Recipes

I need recipes with no fat that are quick and easy to make and eat on the go!

Joy from Atascocita, TX

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf81353476.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Bosch Mixer Alternatives

Is there a less pricey alternative to the Bosch mixer? I want one but the price stops me dead in my tracks.

Brenda from Alabama

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf52657240.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Large Water Spot on a Maple Coffee Table

I'm not sure if this is a cleaning request or not but I have a solid maple coffee table that I, unfortunately, put a plant on. Over a period of time after watering it I have an enormous water spot on my table. Does anyone know I can clean this without having to refinish it?

Thanks,
Orva from Magigone

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf93803654.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Chicken Pulling Out Its Feathers

My chickens are molting at the moment. My concern is that one of the hens is pulling out her own feathers! Should I be concerned or is this normal. I only have five hens and they don't seem to have any lice causing them this strange behavior. The only feathers left on her are her wings and head. What a sight! Can anyone please help?

Carolyn from South Africa

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf28852897.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Preparing for a Baby

I have found myself to be VERY unexpectedly pregnant at age 38. My husband and I have two sons, ages 16 and 10. I work but have no benefits and my husband is on Social Security Disability. We have no debt at this time beside our Mortgage and car and luckily I was able to get medical insurance through the state only because I am pregnant. I stretch our dollars like you would not believe. The problem that I am most worried about is the fact that I have high blood pressure being controlled by medication going into this pregnancy. The doctor has assured me that he will keep an eye on things and take good care of me.

I am terrified however, about the fact that toward the end of this pregnancy I may have to be on bed-rest. If I can't work our financial situation will go quickly downhill. I have a month's worth of vacation days that I am saving to use for recovery (I will need a third c-section) and I am trying very hard to squirrel away about a months worth of expenses to ease my mind. Then there is the fact that I have NO baby stuff left over from my other kids except some special things I was saving for grandchildren. I am so afraid that something will go wrong that I am afraid to get any baby things ahead of time. Any suggestions?

Thank You,
Cindy from Lorain, OH

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf63413134.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Cleaning Painted Cement

Our back room has a cement floor that was painted. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to clean this? Products to use, etc. Just general mopping.

Lindsie from Avoca, NY

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf40632865.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Tomatoes in Hanging Planters

I have just bought some "Tumbler" tomato plants for hanging baskets for the first time. Do I still need to pinch out the side shoots in the same way as normal tomatoes? Also, as I've never grown these before I am concerned that the basket may not provide enough depth of compost and consequently whether they will get enough water. Does anyone have any experience or tips please for growing hanging tomatoes?

Fiona from UK

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf44360844.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Remote Control Tips

The TV remote has disappeared again! So annoying! Has anyone seen or constructed something that is a transparent case which holds the remote and is attached to a coiled wire linked to a piece of furniture preventing travel out of the room?

Thanks,
Holly from Richardson, TX

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf67555605.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Casseroles Without Cheese

I need a family-type casserole recipe, but NO cheese in it.

Thanks,
Shirley from Austin, TX

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf92870377.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Unusual Food Ideas for a Benefit

We are having a benefit for my father at the end of June and serving turkey and ham sandwiches, potato salad, pasta salad, mac salad, and baked beans. One restaurant owner that is close to my dad wants to make something that is typically not made for benefits to serve with this. If anyone has any suggestions I could give him, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you for your help.

jmz2005 from Illinois

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55013636.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Frugal Spring Cleaning Ideas

I am looking for helpful ideas and frugal at the same time to make Spring cleaning a lot easier and simple.

Debbie from Crawfordsville, IN

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf000692.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Removing Paint From Carpet

I have recently painted a wall in my house and got some paint on the carpet, what can I use to remove it?

Thanks
Mrs. Trudeau

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf991362.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Crafting for Fun and Money!

If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish.

More Information:
Click Here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml

FDA: Very Low Risk to Humans from Food Containing Melamine

There is very low risk to human health from consuming meat from hogs and chickens known to have been fed animal feed supplemented with pet food scraps that contained melamine and melamine-related compounds, according to an assessment conducted by scientists from five federal agencies.

Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf38557636.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Mommy Can I Have It?
By Kelly Ann Butterbaugh

Children are great at breaking a budget, but it's important to set boundaries. What do you do when your child asks for something that is financially out of the question? There are a few options for the famous "Can I have this?" question.

Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf81377375.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Perennials For Beginners

If you're new to planting flowers, you might want to plant perennials. They'll bloom every year without you having to replant them. So make the most of your planting time and dollars.

Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf632974.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Saving Money on Gas

Track Your Gas Consumptions

Reset the tripometer when you get in the car or make a note of it. After a week's worth see how your doing. I'm trying to get my son to do this so he can see for himself how much he spends. Every receipt he gets he puts in a little pouch he has. I'm trying to get him to notice how much different it is to not get sodas at a drive thru. To have them at home is a whole lot cheaper!

Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf999835.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print