Daily Thrifty Tips
Volume Four, Number 17, January 17, 2005
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello,
Today we have two pet photos sent in by Robin, who has shared a lot of recipes with the ThriftyFun community.
We also have 11 new requests.
If you are looking for your tip(s) and wondering why you haven't seen them yet, we are working through tips from 10 days ago right now. So it could take up to 10 days for us to publish your tip.
Thanks for reading,
Susan
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Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Photo Contest Entries:
- Caitie and Jazmin
- Our Pretty Baby, Bailey
Today's Tips:
- Uses for Sawdust and Wood Chips
- Uses For Advertising Magnets
- Make High School and College Life A Little Easier!
- Homemade Baby Food - Tips And Recipes
- Keeping Track Of Your Sippy Cups
- Fun Way to Teach Simple Words
- Temporary Border In The Bathroom
- Cleaning Permanent Ink With Peanut Butter
- Inexpensive Doggy Sweater
- Baby Wipe Clean Up When Camping
- Soapy Smelling Plastic Coffee Mugs
- Whiter Whites - Tips For Washing White Clothing
- Uses for Paper Clips
- Celery Juice For Horrible Meat Odors
- Refreshing Stale Rolls
- Traveling With Kids - Bring A Shoe Organizer
- Save Money on Fabric Softener
- Broccoli Salad
- Uses for old sheets?
- Cool Whip Jello Salad
- Potato Bacon Chowder
- French Onion Soup
New Requests:
- Fixing a Glass Door With Scratches (From A Dog)
- Extending The Life Of My Skirts By Adding Elastic
- Removing Ink Pen Lines From Brown Leather Sofa
- Looking for a Chocolate Lab Screensaver or Desktop Wallpaper
- Recipe For Condensed Milk
- Freshening A Musty Mattress
- Rodent Control Suggestions
- Shirts With A Worn Collar
- Uses For Florist Vases
- Miniscule Biting Black Insects
- Burned Glass Top Range
More Reading:
- Buy A Home And Save On Taxes
- Mommy Needs Her Sleep
- Fun Valentine's Day Sweet Treats
- Make a Fire Extinguisher Cover
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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
Today's Photo Contest Entries
Caitie and Jazmin
This is Jazmin with my daughter, Caitie. She was part of Cait's senior pictures and is obviously loving every minute of it! We got Jazmin through our local humane society. She is a Golden Retriever mix and a real pill!
She's a lot of fun, has a lot of energy, and is one of the most affectionate dogs you'll ever find. She is approximately 4 years old and her favorite thing to do is just to be outside in our back yard, running.
Our yard is fenced and you would think she would get bored but she never seems to tire of just running and running and playing with her toys out there. She is an inside dog as well, but she still prefers to be out. My husband is always reminding her that she has a pretty good life for a pound puppy!
By Robin
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Our Pretty Baby, Bailey
This is Bailey. She has 9 years young and a real sweetheart. We bought Bailey when she was only 2 weeks old and brought her home to live with us at 7 weeks of age and she has been here ever since.
She's a wonderful dog! She is a purebred, registered Collie and the light of our lives! We found her in the country in rural Iowa at a farmhouse and she joined us in the 'suburbs' as a house dog.
She loves being in the house, which is very unlike her house mate, Jazmin. Both the dogs love to sleep on our two daughter's bed right with them and as big as these dogs are, they get most of the bed!
Bailey's favorite thing to do is to go for walks and to go for rides in our van, especially when she gets a treat on the way home.
By Robin
View Photo and Post Feedback: 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
Uses for Sawdust and Wood Chips
Tips for using sawdust and wood chips. Post your ideas.
Saw Dust and Wood Chips
My husband and I have been generating lots of sawdust and wood chips. I gather it all in the vacuum then empty the vacuum into my planters and the garden. Makes really good mulch and looks great.
By Verue
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Uses For Advertising Magnets
Tips for reusing all those advertising refrigerator magnets you get in the mail. Post your ideas.
Magnet Pictures
Cut pictures to fit the advertising magnets that you get from everywhere to put on your fridge
By Rhonda Henderson
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Make High School and College Life A Little Easier!
As a teacher, I'm surprised by how many kids don't know these easy tips. It requires staying a bit organized, but it pays off two ways: 1. Saving your back and 2. Preventing you from looking like a dork with a 50 lb. backpack!
Number One which seems so obvious: Carry only the books you'll need for the day. If an instructor never uses the book in class, (and many college profs. never do) why lug it around?
Number Two: Carry one manilla pocket folder stocked with 3-ring loose leaf paper. Take notes for each class on a separate piece(s) of paper. Label, date, and keep the notes in the folder until the end of the day. When you get home, read over and then transfer each day's notes to the appropriate thin, flexible plastic 3-ring binder you keep for each subject. (These can be cleaned out and used each semester for new subjects!)
No more carrying separate spiral notebooks for each class or carrying large, awkward binders with dividers. If you do happen to need all of your notes for a class on a particular day, just grab the one lightweight binder you need.
By Mary
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Homemade Baby Food - Tips And Recipes
Tips and recipes for making your own baby food. Post your ideas.
Don't buy expensive baby foods filled with preservatives. I always fed my babies the same food I ate for dinner. If we ate lasagna for dinner I would cut a piece and put it in a food chopper with a small amount of water and puree the food. Once the food is pureed you can spoon it into ice cube trays and freeze it. Once it's frozen pop the cubes out and store them in labeled freezer bags. You can make frozen baby food cubes out of any type of food. Try it, your baby will be glad you did since there is nothing like home cooking.
By Dawn from MA
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Keeping Track Of Your Sippy Cups
When taking my daughter to church or other outings, there were always people there with her same kind of sippy cup. I hated to write on the actual cup with a permanent marker so I used my label maker to print out her name and placed it on the lid of the cup. The label stays on even in the dishwasher so it lasts until it starts to fade and then I replace it with a new one.
By Jennifer Cofer
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Fun Way to Teach Simple Words
When teaching Kindergarten. I found a fun way to teach my kids simple words like: cat, dog, pie, bird, shoe, etc. I made a game called spill and spell.
Find a picture of the items from magazines and using contact paper attach to the outside of a clean (label removed) baby food jar. Then put the letters that make up the word inside the baby food jar. You could use letter tiles or even a heavy cardboard with the letters hand written and cut apart on them. Then I write how to spell the word on the bottom of the lid.
So a child comes over, picks a jar, spells out the word and then checks his/her answer by the lid. A fun game to make and play.
By Jennifer Cofer
View Article: Click Here
Temporary Border In The Bathroom
When decorating my daughters' bathroom in ducks and daisies, I didn't want to use a border in case I wanted to change it when they got older, so I painted the walls a light sky blue and then used the foamy paper to cut out large hand drawn daisies (just five petals or so).
Then I used the yellow sticky foamy paper to cut out circles that would be the middle of the daisy. I stapled the white daisies about 4 inches down from the ceiling and a few inches apart and then put the sticky yellow circle over the staple mark.
I created my own border. Very cute and three dimensional because they somewhat stand off the wall. And very inexpensive and you can change this to fit about any theme!
By Jennifer Cofer
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Cleaning Permanent Ink With Peanut Butter
Peanut butter will clean almost any "permanent" marker stain, including greasy printer ink.
By Kat
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Inexpensive Doggy Sweater
Is your doggy cold, but you just can't justify spending $25 on a "special" sweater? Go to your local GoodWill and pick up a toddler sweatshirt cut off the arms an inch down from the shoulder seam and `viola you have a doggy sweatshirt. and this only cost $1.25 not only will your doggy be warm and happy, but you will also be supporting a great service for our disabled community.
By Kat
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Baby Wipe Clean Up When Camping
After a day of camping, spraying bug spray, and using sunscreen give your self a quick bath using baby wipes before you hop into your sleeping bag. Save the baby wipes and they can be used to wipe up the tent floor before you pack it away.
By Kat
Editor's Note: If your skin tends to dry out, you may want to follow this tip with some moisturizer.
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Soapy Smelling Plastic Coffee Mugs
Do your plastic coffee mugs have a soapy smell to them? Just soak them in vinegar overnight. If there is a leftover smell of vinegar re-soak in a sink full of hot water and baking soda.
By Kat
Editor's Note: Probably a good way to remove the stale coffee smell that seems to accumulate in coffee mugs too.
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Whiter Whites - Tips For Washing White Clothing
Tips for washing white clothing. Post your ideas.
Brightening White Clothing
To brighten your whites use borax and automatic dishwashing detergent along with half of your regular laundry soap. Not only will your whites be bright, but you won't have that awful bleach smell in your clothes.
By Kat
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Uses for Paper Clips
Tips for using paper clips for something other than organizing paper. Post your ideas.
It's a little late but I use paper clips to hang ornaments on the Christmas tree. Just bend them so that you have a hook on each side
By Lois
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Celery Juice For Horrible Meat Odors
Some years ago during the hottest part of the summer, I forgot to get a whole chicken out of the trunk of my car. I didn't think about it until I raised the trunk lid several days later. Nothing I tried took the odor out. A friend who delivered for the Coca Cola company said to spray celery juice like they did for their boxes. It worked like a charm. If you can't find the juice in the grocery store. Blend some celery with a little water. It works too.
By Jeannie Burton
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Refreshing Stale Rolls
Stale rolls? Don't throw them out, spray them lightly with water, place them in a paper bag or wrap in foil, and warm them in a 375 degrees oven for about 5 minutes.
By Chell
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Traveling With Kids - Bring A Shoe Organizer
When traveling a long ways with a child, bring his shoe bag holder. Hang it over the car window to block sunlight and to store toys in the "pockets"!
By Chell
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Save Money on Fabric Softener
Tips for saving money on fabric softener. Post your ideas below.
Reusing Fabric Softener Sheets
Use fabric softener sheets twice, then store them in a jar w/ diluted liquid softener. When drying a load of clothes, squeeze out the excess solution and toss in the dryer.
By Chell
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Broccoli Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 bunch broccoli
- 1 lb. browned bacon
- 1 red onion
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1/2 cup raisins
Dressing:
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 3 Tbsp. vinegar
- 2 Tbsp. sugar
Directions:
Chop all vegetables and add dressing.
By Robin
View Article: Click Here
Uses for old sheets?
We are looking for all the practical uses for old sheets that are no longer in good enough shape to use.
Reusing Flat Bedsheets
Don't throw out your old flat bedsheets! They make excellent ground cloths for a picnic, sunbathing, or they make a great "floorcloth" for your tent while camping. they are easier to pack then blankets, and if you use a light color they will help reflect the heat from the sun. If your sheets are stained or just dingy and you do not want to have them seen in public try your hand at tie-dye or fabric painting to cover those stains.
By Kat
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Cool Whip Jello Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 small carton cottage cheese, drained
- 1 small can mandarin oranges, drained
- 1 small can crushed pineapple, drained
- 1 small carton Cool Whip, thawed
- 1 small pkg. strawberry Jello (or your favorite flavor)
Directions:
Mix dry Jello with Cool Whip. Add rest of ingredients. Refrigerate
By Robin
View Article: Click Here
Potato Bacon Chowder
Ingredients:
- 8 slices bacon (cut up)
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 2 cups cubed potatoes
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 3/4 cup milk
- 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- Dash of pepper
- 2 Tbsp. chopped parsley (optional)
Directions:
Fry bacon until crisp in a 3 qt. sauce pan. Add onion and saute for 2-3 minutes. Pour off fat and add potatoes and water. Cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Stir in soup and sour cream; gradually add milk. Add salt, pepper, and parsley. Heat to serving temperature.. Makes 7 cups
By Robin
View Article: Click Here
French Onion Soup
Ingredients:
- 3 lbs. onions (1/8 inch thick slices)
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- 2 Tbsp. paprika
- 1 bay leaf
- 3/4 cup flour
- 3 qts. bouillon or beef broth
- 1 tsp. salt
Directions:
Saute onions in butter slowly for 1/2 hour. Add pepper, paprika, bay leaf, and flour. Saute 10 minutes longer. Add bouillon and simmer 2 hours. Refrigerate overnight. Heat soup, put in ovenproof soup bowls and top with slice of French bread and swiss cheese. Broil 5 minutes at 550 degrees. This soup freezes nicely.
By Robin
View Article: Click Here
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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:
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New Requests:
Fixing a Glass Door With Scratches (From A Dog)
My dogs have really scratched my glass door. Is there any way to fix it short of replacing?
Thanks in advance,
PD
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Extending The Life Of My Skirts By Adding Elastic
As I get older my waistline expands and I find that my skirts get tighter! I don't want to throw them away, does anyone know of a way to make them larger by "taking them up" at the waistband, and make them elasticated instead of button and zip?
I realize that this will make them slightly shorter but that doesn`t matter. Also, a lot of my skirts have a zip up the front, any ideas how to incorporate that? (I always wear blouses over the top of my skirts, I don`t tuck them into the waistband)
Looking forward to hearing from someone. :)
Jan from England
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Removing Ink Pen Lines From Brown Leather Sofa
I have a brown leather sofa and two young boys who have put a number of "accidental" marks from an ink pen on it and i need to know an EFFECTIVE way of removing them, if its possible. I've tried scrubbing with just a damp cloth...no results. Thanks for any tips.
josmith
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Looking for a Chocolate Lab Screensaver or Desktop Wallpaper
I'm looking for a link for any good pics of chocolate labs or chocolate lab puppies for a screensaver or desktop wallpaper. I've tried screensavers.com & other sponsored links on google search with no results. Any ideas? Thanks.
~ Jo
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Recipe For Condensed Milk
Does anyone have a recipe for making condensed milk?
Anna from Maine
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Freshening A Musty Mattress
I live on the foggy coast of Maine and have a hide-a-bed which is over 20 years old but recently re-upholstered. The mattress smells musty and I would like to know how to freshen it without using chemicles as I have allergies.
Anna from Maine
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Rodent Control Suggestions
We live in an old house and I wish we had the time, money, and patience to close off every opening/crevice to our home, from attics, walls, crawlspace, etc. but that seems impossible. We also have two dogs, so poisons are too big of a risk. Does anyone have rodent control suggestions? I have some traps in the crawlspace, I'll work on getting peppermint oil and boxes of mothballs. (We're not cat people.) Gosh, I feel like we have NO options, but if you any ideas, I'd love to hear about it! Thank you!
Shannon
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Shirts With A Worn Collar
My husband has a tendancy to wear out the collar on his dress shirts. Does anyone have a tip for repair or use for the shirt (other than quilt material)?
Dawn Barbie
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Uses For Florist Vases
Does anybody have any ideas what to do with the standard bud vases you get flowers in from the florist?
Camilla
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Miniscule Biting Black Insects
I have miniscule black flying insects that are biting me. I have no pets but do have house plants. I have tried the vinegar, alcohol and water mixture and haven't been able to rid myself of them. Now I have horrible sores on my face, neck, back of my neck and in my hair.
Does anyone know what these are and how to handle them? I am going to try "Deet".
Thank you for any and all help.
Maggie from Arizona
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Burned Glass Top Range
I left a tea kettle on my glass top range, forgot it and 2 hours later all the water was gone and the bottom of the kettle had burned onto the cooktop. The glass is not cracked or indented but a black ring is left. I have used the cooktop cleaner and razor with little effect. Can anything take this ring off? ( I can see the dots under the ring). Catherine
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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:
Buy A Home And Save On Taxes
By Lois Center-Shabazz
Buying a home is a one of the biggest decisions you will make in your lifetime. Therefore it should be well thought out, since it will also be one of the most expensive purchases you will ever make. But, despite the grandiose expenses, there is a positive side, which is the tax advantages give to lessen the cost.
View Article: Click Here
Mommy Needs Her Sleep
By Tammy Hussin, J.D
Bringing a new baby home from the hospital is a beautiful experience, but it can also be filled with a multitude of anxieties and frustrations. One of the major sources of anxiety is figuring out how you can get your baby sleeping through the night. When will your baby be sleeping through the night and how long will it take? When are you going to finally get the rest that you so badly need? Well, this article can begin to help you to unravel the mystery behind getting your baby sleep through the night, and get you started on a gentle, easy path that will have everyone in your house getting a good night's sleep.
View Article: Click Here
Fun Valentine's Day Sweet Treats
By Angela Billings
Children love to decorate for all holidays and they love to help out in the kitchen and make crafts. The following cover all three of these areas for some special family fun!
View Article: Click Here
Make a Fire Extinguisher Cover
By DearWebby
It might not be illegal in your area, but it would certainly be very irresponsible if you don't have at least one fire extinguisher in your home.
Yes, I know they are ugly dust catchers.
However, it's easy to make good looking covers for them.
DearWebby
www.webby.com/humor/
View Article: Click Here
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