Daily Thrifty Tips
Volume Three, Number 124, September 9, 2004
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello,
We have been getting some great recipe submissions after yesterday's request for inexpensive and quick recipe ideas. We will publish them throughout next week. Feel free to submit your recipe at:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/contest.ldml
Thanks for reading,
Susan
Submit a tip and enter our contest: Click Here
If you are looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem,
submit it here: Click Here
Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Tips:
- Long Term Budgeting for Bills
- Wall Artwork on a Budget
- Homemade Cereal Bars
- Save Money By Roasting Your Own Peppers
- Daddy's Hillbilly Greenbeans
- Homemade Frappuchinos
- Make Your Own Hair Conditioner
- Sorting Children's Socks
- Being Thrifty vs. Your Time
- Building Materials for Birds
- Yogurt and Oil Cleansing Routine for Makeup Users
- Feedback: Uses for Metal Ends from Frozen Juice Concentrate Cans
- Feedback: Keeping Your Home Prepared
- Feedback: Liven Up Those Baked Beans
- Feedback: How To Save 1/3 off Your Grocery Bill
- Feedback: Homemade Pizza For Your Family
- Feedback: Help Decorating My Father's 75th Birthday Party
- Today's Recipe: Tuna With Cream Cheese
New Requests:
- Looking for Presciption Drug Help in Ohio
- Removing Epoxy from Polyester Uniform
- Help with Allergies
- Pine Sap on Porch Glider Cushion
More Reading:
- Looking for Presciption Drug Help in Ohio
- Removing Epoxy from Polyester Uniform
- Help with Allergies
- Pine Sap on Porch Glider Cushion
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Today's Tips
Long Term Budgeting for Bills
When you are budgeting for the year ahead, I have one of the simplest and worry free ways to deal with big annual bills like car insurance, property taxes and any other bill that is going to hit your pocketbook once a year.
Add up the total of these bills and then divide by paydays. For example, if you get paid once a month divide the total by 12. If you get paid every two weeks you take the number of weeks in a year ( 52 ) and divide by 2 which will equal 26.
Now take the total of the bills you added up earlier and divide by the appropriate number, 12 or 26. Set up a simple bank account and put the amount you have figured out by payday and faithfully put it in this account either every second week or once a month.
You will not be worrying about those big bills any more. When it is time to pay them, you just go to that account and draw the money out or write a check. It's easy and worry free!
By Bev Sobkowich
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Wall Artwork on a Budget
Want to have beautiful artwork to hang on the walls, but have a tiny budget? With a computer, printer and the help of colored pencils all things are possible. Go to a site such as art.com and find whatever artwork moves you. Select it to print in grey scale. Print it out and use colored pencil to flesh out the piece in the way that you would like to see it. It gives the illusion of a fine watercolor. Buy a cheap frame, like at target they have 2 for $2.99 called document frames and hang. They are beautiful and are the first thing everyone notices when entering a room. By Suzanne S.
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Homemade Cereal Bars
Ingredients:
6 cups of cereal
About 12 ounces of marshmallows
1/4 cup powdered milk
2 tablespoons butter
Directions:
Melt butter and marshmallows. Then add powdered milk. Then mix in cereal; cheerios, frosted flakes, rice krispies, fruity pebbles, cocoa pebbles, etc. I use the store brand of cereal. Measurements are not exact, since I just mix it together to the thickness I want. Pour into a shallow dish and chill. Tastes just like bought ones. I can't keep enough here!
Carol
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Save Money By Roasting Your Own Peppers
If you like roasted red peppers, but not the cost (the average jar runs around $3 and if you check, it only has about one pepper in it). At the end of summer when they are really cheap, about .99 lb or so, there is what you do...
Get as many as you need. I usually purchase about 30-40 lbs over the course of a couple of weeks. Roast them under the broiler until the skin is blackened. Toss them into a large spaghetti pot and cover to steam while you finish the ones you bought. When you are done, pick out ones from the bottom of the pot with tongs, peel and de-seed them and lay the pieces flat in a zip lock freezer bag. one layer only and press out as much air as possible and seal. 10 lbs takes about 4 gallon size bags.
Freeze them flat. when you need them, just open the bag and break off what you need. They thaw as if you had just made them, and with the price, you will add them to everything! Take care.
By Kathy
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Daddy's Hillbilly Greenbeans
It has no name other than... Daddy's Hillbilly Greenbeans.
Handed down from my Granny, in her words: "To one big stock pot, add greenbeans, 1 or 2 handfulls per person. Peel potatoes, 2 or 3 per person, cut in half, 4 cobs of corn, with kernels cut off the cob, 1 medium onion chopped, and 1 tablespoon bacon drippings for flavor. Add water to just cover, and cook till ingredients are tender. Add a big chunk of ham and heat till hot. This will keep in the fridge for up to a week, and each time it is heated it gets better."
This is from me: If you use canned green beans and corn, use the broth in the can too, and not as much water, I also add some cabbage. Delish!!!!
By Rosa
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Homemade Frappuchinos
Why pay expensive prices for frappuchinos, use a snow cone maker and make them yourself.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 tsp instant coffee
- 1 teaspoon creamer
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 3 tbsp water
Directions:
Mix the above ingredients in a tall cup. Produce half a bowl of ice with a snow cone maker, set aside. Fill cup that has the above recipe with snow cone ice and stir. Sprinkle with sugar and enjoy. A few uses will have the snow cone maker paying for itself. They are about 20 dollars.
By Robyn
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Make Your Own Hair Conditioner
Ingredients:
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
If you dont have an egg, use 1 tablespoon of mayonaise.
Use like a shampoo, then rinse out and shampoo as usual. The mayo/egg will pull out all loose hairs and add great shine.
By Racer
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Sorting Children's Socks
I have two small boys and while sorting socks I find that although they wear different sizes when rolled they all look like the same size. I roll one boy's toes tucked in and my other boy's socks toes out of the "ball". I can put them in the correct drawer without much thought and each knows at a glance if they have the right socks. By Leigh Ann Stephens
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Being Thrifty vs. Your Time
Here's my 2 bits: Sometimes people will tell you it's not worth your time to do various things to be thrifty and frugal. However, whether any given activity is worth it is entirely up to the individual. If you go about frugality with the attitude that your tasks are entertaining to you, or that your work will be good exercise, your whole attitude changes.
Maybe you would rather build your own deck or sew your own dress while listening to the radio than veg out at an expensive movie. Maybe you actually love to cook and it is good therapy for you at the same time. Cleaning your own house can be marvelous exercise, performed at your own pace. Keeping your activities in a positive light really helps. Also be yourself. Don't let our consumerism society change you or make you feel lowly for the things you do.
By Jayne
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Building Materials for Birds
Don't forget our little fine feathered friends at this time of the year (birdies). When ever I finish sewing I take the rest of the thread that was in the needle and place it on my fence. I also do that with any tiny piece of yarn. When a wooden clothespin breaks I also place that on my fence. The birds use all these little odds and ends to build their nest. Happy housing to the birds. By Joesgirl
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Yogurt and Oil Cleansing Routine for Makeup Users
This is a pretty simple cleansing routine that should be safe for all skin types.
Ingredients
Olive Oil or Safflower Oil
Cotton Pads or Cotton Balls
Plain Yogurt
Directions
In the morning just cleanse your skin with yogurt. Dampen your skin with water and then massage yogurt into your face and neck. Then rinse with warm water.
In the evening when you need to remove makeup, use a cotton pads or cotton balls soaked in oil to remove makeup. Then cleanse with yogurt as directed above.
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Feedback: Uses for Metal Ends from Frozen Juice Concentrate Cans
Take a piece of wide elastic and attach it to the lids and let kids use them as taps on their shoes. What kid doesn't like to make noise - outdoors of course lol
By owenmohrbucks
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Feedback: Keeping Your Home Prepared
We live in Colorado and since we don't have any of the major weather problems. We were affected by the fire that happened in our area a few years ago, the Iron Mountain fire of 2001. Our home was not affected however, no power was able to get to us for days. I was able to get to work on Monday not able to get back home, so my husband and daughter who was 18 at the time were left to themselves. Thankfully my husband had the foresight to have a generator and also have our mobile home set to be able to receive power from the generator. It was used only to run the pump for our well and keep things cold in our freezer and refrigerator.
Since we can get snowed in here too and are 30 miles from town we also keep additional food and other needed items in a pantry area and don't use them unless needed. We also have fireplace for heat because many times in the winter our power is out for days because of downed lines from the snow. Having a fireplace has kept us from getting cold. Many times we had to sleep in the living room, but at least we were warm. Also, batteries and candles. We use the flashlights just when needed otherwise the candles are used for light. We always check our supply of items we might need and keep them stocked and rotated. So many times we have had to rely on some of them. And, I thought my husband was silly when we bought the generator and he said to stock those items. I'm thankful now.
By RoseMary
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Feedback: Liven Up Those Baked Beans
To liven up my pork & beans, I add in a few squirts of mustard (any will do) and 2T of brown sugar. I have also used pancake syrup in place of the brown sugar.
By Laideebugz
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Feedback: How To Save 1/3 off Your Grocery Bill
I agree eating "fresh food" is great. However, it is important to have your own supply of food on hand all the time. Otherwise, it puts you at the mercy of the stores, the trucking system, other distribution, etc when it comes to feeding your family. By having my own supply of food in the freezer, pantry, and garden, I have a buffer of protection from a job loss, natural disaster, man-made disaster, or a food distribution problem.
By Katie A.
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Feedback: Homemade Pizza For Your Family
My family loves it when we make pizza using either Italian or French bread. I slice the loaf in half length-wise, lightly coat with butter or margerine & then broil until just toasty. Toasting the bread like this keeps the pizza sauce from soaking into the berad. I then spread the pizza sauce, toppings & cheese. Then I put it back under the broiler until the cheese is melted. It's quick and easy, and we all get the toppings we want on our own half or quarter.
By NHdoubleK
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Feedback: Help Decorating My Father's 75th Birthday Party
I have come up with a few more ideas for my Mom's 80th birthday party so I thought I would share my new ideas. As I posted before, I am giving favors of mini albums for the men and lockets (Mom's first gift) for the ladies. I am putting together a collage of Mom's life in a unique way. I purchased several 2000 century US events CD's/Video. I am editing the Videos and fitting into the CD pictures of Mom's life during that period of time. There will be a total of 4 videos, each about 2 to 3 minutes long. The first will be the 20's & 30's. While the video is playing several members of her church choir will sing a song from that era.(I bought choir robes to make the event more striking) In the middle of the show my brother will sing "remember when" and I will show pictures of her with her children and grandchildren. The next part of the entertainment will be skits performed by her children and grandchildren entitled "lessons learned from Grammy"
I am still looking for a great finale. If anyone can think of something really neat. Please post a response.
By Linda
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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: Tuna Sandwich Ideas
Here are some tuna sandwich recipes.
Tuna With Cream Cheese
- 1 6.5 oz can tuna (184 g)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened (125 g)
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise (50 ml)
- 1/2 cup chopped onions (125 ml)
- 1 tsp lemon juice (5 ml)
- 1/8 tsp salt (..5 ml)
- 1/8 tsp pepper (.5 ml)
Tuna with Relish
- 1 6.5 oz can Tuna (184 g)
- 1/4 cup relish (50 ml)
Tuna with Cheddar
- 1 6.5 oz can Tuna (184 g)
- 1 cup Grated cheddar cheese (250 ml)
- 2 tbsp Finely chopped onion (optional) (2 tbsp)
- 1/2 tsp Salt (2 ml)
- 1/4 cup Mayonnaise (50 ml)
Tuna with Sweet Pickles
- 1 6.5 oz can Tuna (184 g)
- 1/4 cup Sweet pickles (diced) (50 ml)
- 1/4 cup Mayonnaise (50 ml)
Tuna with Veggies
- 1 6.5 oz can Tuna (184 g)
- 1/4 cup each Diced carrots, onions & celery (50 ml)
- 1/3 cup Mayonnaise (75 ml)
- 1/8 tsp Salt (..5 ml)
- Dash Pepper (optional)
Tuna with Horseradish
- 1 6.5 oz can Tuna (184 g)
- 1.4 cup Mayonnaise (50 ml)
- 2 tsp Prepared Horseradish (10 ml)
- 1 tsp Lemon Juice (5 ml)
- 1/2 tsp Salt (2 ml)
- 1/8 tsp Pepper (.5 ml)
Instructions
Flake tuna & add other ingredients.
Mix well & make sandwiches.
From http://www.CanadianCountryGifts.com
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Tip Contest
New Contest! Submit a tip and you could win:
Frozen Assets: How to Cook for a Day and Eat for a Month
By Deborah Taylor-Hough
Frozen Assets is small in stature, but jam-packed with meal-planning advice. It contains recipe ideas, plus detailed instructions on how to get the maximum value from your food dollar, while also slashing meal preparation times.
Enter the contest!
New Requests:
Looking for Presciption Drug Help in Ohio
This is Marissa from Ohio and I had lost my job due to illness. I'm looking for somewhere that can pay for my three prescriptions for the next 6 months. These are medications I can't do without and I'm afraid. I have no income and no place to turn. Marissa from Ohio
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Removing Epoxy from Polyester Uniform
Does anyone have any ideas of how to remove white epoxy glue from navy blue polyester uniform pants? My husband wears a uniform to work and had to load a piece of equipment on his truck, saw the white stuff, and didn't realize it was epoxy glue he would be sitting down in. Now, he has 1 less pair of pants to wear to work and I am hoping someone has a solution to deal w/this. Please and thank-you. Trish from Oregon
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Help with Allergies
Allergy season is really bad in WY this year. I have allergies for the first time and have been suffering for over a month now. Have tried 3 over the counter medicines and none of them work. Also have tried eating local honey, but that doesn't seem to help either. Any suggestions? MB in WY
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Pine Sap on Porch Glider Cushion
We have a new porch in the front of our house and recently purchased a glider so we can enjoy our new landscaped front yard. Our problem is a large (several stories high) pine tree is over part of the porch and sap is falling on the glider cushion. I've already ruined one pair of pants. Need solutions for regularly removing the sap from the cushion. There must be some home remedy. Jay in MN
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Looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem? Submit
your request here: Click Here
More Reading
Money Saving Tips for the Laundry Room
By Naomi Knudsen
Don't wash money down the drain! Doing laundry is one of those universal projects that is on everyone's to-do list. Here are some tips for saving money and getting cleaner clothes. What more could you ask!
View Article: Click Here
Tuna Sandwich Ideas
Here are some tuna sandwich recipes.
View Article: Click Here
Thrifty Tip Train
Uses for Cheese Wrappers, a Tip Train... The little plastic squares, they are great for greasing a pan with Crisco.
View Article: Click Here
Patchwork Fabric-Covered Gift Box
By Rachel Paxton
Patchwork fabric-covered gift boxes are an easy, affordable way to dress up any gift package. They're also great for storage. Total preparation and assembly time for this project is approximately 2-3 hours, depending on the size of the shoe box.
View Article: Click Here
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Thanks
Susan
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