Daily Thrifty Tips
Volume Three, Number 184, November 16, 2004
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello,
We had a REALLY busy day on the website yesterday, possibly our busiest day ever. As a result we have 11 new requests today.
We also have a new contest, we are giving away another gift card, just like the last contest. That seems to be a popular prize.
A contest came to end yesterday but we are yet to pick the winner. I have not been able to check my email yet this morning to get all the contest entries that may have come in last night before the midnight deadline. So we will have to announce the winner tommorow. Sorry for the delay!
Ever wonder how we pick the winner to our contest? We take all the valid entries and organize them into a number list. Then we print out as many numbers as we have tips for that contest. We put all the numbers into bowl (or a pan), mix them up, look the other way and select a number. We often get questions about whether we pick winners based on which tips or how many tips were submitted, it's totally random. The reason why people who submit a lot of tips tend to win is because they increase their odds with multiple entries, you can submit up to 5 tips per day. But even if you only submit one tip or recipe, you have a shot at winning the prize.
Thanks for reading,
Susan
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Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Tips:
- Picking a Puppy
- Reorganizing the Closet By Renovating It
- Testing Baking Powder Freshness
- My Christmas Shopping Spree
- Use Thrift Store Dishes At Parties
- Cookie Baking Day
- Divinity Fudge
- Rolling Out Sugar Cookies
- Removing Berry Stains From Cloth
- Removing Fat from Soups and Gravies
- Super Brownies
- Fried Sweet Corn
- Cranberry Frost
- Crabapple Flea, Tick and Spider Deterrent
- Inexpensive Shampoo for Color Treated Hair
- Party Pizza Cookie
- Treating Bruises
- Sprucing Up Your Table Saw
- Sharpen Your Dull Knife
- Pet Stains and Odors
- Freezer Meal
- Vegetable Beef Soup
- Frugal Wisdom
- Cheap Batteries
New Requests:
- Instructions for Making a Rug Loom
- Home Remedies for Dog
- Cat Peeing In Kids Room
- Clean Burnt Grease Off Old Drip Pans
- Looking For Crockpot Recipes
- Bleached White Shirt Is Now Yellow
- Cure For Bad Dog Breath
- Butter Stain on Leather Chair
- Car Grease on Cashmere Scarf
- Salt Dough Turkey Centerpiece
- Gnats on Houseplants
More Reading:
- How to Repair Your Credit History and Improve Your Credit Score
- A Tasty Holiday Tradition
- Make a Budget to Help Your Dreams Come True!
- Oat Bran and Dried Fruit Muffins
- Potty Training a Dog to Go In One Place
- Online Advent Calendars
Search ThriftyFun Using Google: Click Here
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Today's Tips
Picking a Puppy
We discovered that the cost of a puppy at our pound is $35. It is more expensive at the SPCA ($85) but includes the cost of neutering or spaying. I was shown a way to quickly discover if the pup has been abused. Put your hand above his head in a normal backward motion as if you were going to pet him except don't touch him. If he flinches when you do that, you are likely looking at a dog that has been mistreated.
By Bev Sobkowich
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Reorganizing the Closet By Renovating It
I have discovered that taking out the rods and shelf and any other parts of a normal closet and changing the inside will give you much more storage space. You might even be able to get rid of one dresser. Once everything is out, build wooden shelves and drawers and upper and lower rods which are not very long. Depending on how attractive the woodworking is, this will help you to decide if you need full closet doors, a small set or none at all. This can store much more than dresser drawers.
By Bev Sobkowich
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Testing Baking Powder Freshness
To test freshness of baking powder, put 1 teaspoon in half a glass of hot water. If fresh, it will actively bubble in the water.
By Robin
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My Christmas Shopping Spree
Today, I went shopping, early in the morning, at several stores. I hit their bargain bins as soon as I entered.
At one Walgreen's they had 3 shopping carts of mark downs at 50 cents per item. There were 6 small plastic swan and fish shaped lotion bottles. I bought all 6 of them. Greedy? You bet. I was the first one there, why not?
There was one small plastic lavatory shaped soap dish. "Glommed" on to it. Spent $3.50 + tax there.
Went to thrift shop across the street. Found a large grapevine wreath, for $1, which I wanted, to decorate for a friend's back porch.
On down the street to another Walgreen's/ Their bargain bins were 50% off. Bought a $2, liter sized bottle of bubble bath, for $1 and an 18 oz bottle of Suave Naturals moisturizing lotion, $2,59 for $1.29.
I came home, pleased as punch at having spent a tad over $10, knowing I was going to be able to make at least 10 nice gifts.
I divided the lotion into the 6 lotion dispensers. I save some of my small bottles as I get them. I divided the bubble bath into 3 bottles, about the size needed for 1 bath. I still have about 1/3 of the bottle left for grandchildren's use when they visit.
Then I took a small bar of Caress soap, unwrapped and took it out of the box. Wrapped it in plastic wrap, scotched taped the wrap around the soap, put a cute sticker on top of soap. Placed it in the soap holder, wrapped it and one lotion dispenser in plastic wrap, placed them in 1/2 a net potato bag. Gathered it at top, added bow. One inexpensive gift for a granddaughter.
I will give other lotion dispensers to several elderly friends as Christmas gifts.
By Gladys Hill
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Use Thrift Store Dishes At Parties
I purchase thrift store plate, bowls and bread plates, keeping several on hand. Re-wash them for use. These are great to use in placing your food on/in for holiday get together parties, picnics, potluck, bake sales, remembrance dinners for grieving families, or anywhere you use a dish and don't mind if you never see it again.
"El cheapo me," has lost too many pieces of my good china and baking dishes, even when I had them clearly marked for return!
By Gladys Hill
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Cookie Baking Day
When my kids were small, I would bake several batches of cutout type sugar cookies just after Thanksgiving. I used Christmas Theme Cookie cutters and also cut Christmas shapes from cereal box cardboard. I would cut around them with a knife to make unique cookies. I would pack them into freezer containers and freeze them. Then, on the day the kids got out of school for Christmas vacation, I would have the kitchen table set up for them with icings in several colors, chocolate chips, raisins, cinnamon red hots, colored sprinkles and colored sugar, coconut. etc. They spent the afternoon decorating cookies and making gift plates for friends and family. They always looked forward to this day.
By Harlean from Arkansas
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Divinity Fudge
Ingredients:
- 3 cups sugar
- 1/3 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup light Corn Syrup
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 egg whites
- 1 teaspoon vanilla *
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Directions:
Combine sugar, Corn Syrup, water and salt in heavy saucepan . Over Medium heat, cook to hardball stage (248 degrees F on candy thermometer) Remove from heat and let stand with thermometer still in place until the temperature drops to 220 degrees F WITHOUT STIRRING.
Place egg whites in mixer bowl, turn on to speed 8 (high) and whip until soft peaks form, about 1 minute. Gradually add syrup slowly in a fine stream (taking about 2-3 minutes). Reduce speed to 4 (medium) and add vanilla. Continue mixing until mixture starts to look dry and hold its shape.
This may take 20 to 25 minutes. Quickly stir in nuts and drop mixture from spoon onto waxed paper. Try to enlist a helper for this step, as it sets up rather quickly. Store in a covered container after it is cool.
*In place of vanilla and nuts you could use almond extract and candied cherries. or peppermint oil and crushed candy canes.
I have even added a package of sugar free strawberry jello as flavoring with success. Just add it to the egg whites as you whip them.
A candy thermometer will insure good luck with this recipe.
By Harlean from Arkansas
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Rolling Out Sugar Cookies
When rolling out sugar cookies, use powdered sugar instead of flour on your board. It will have a much better flavor, and the cookies will not get hard.
By Robin
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Removing Berry Stains From Cloth
Berry stains on cloth will be easily removed by pouring boiling water over the stain before washing.
By Robin
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Removing Fat from Soups and Gravies
To eliminate fat from soups, stews, gravies, etc. drop an ice cube into the pot. Stir and fat will cling to the cubes. Discard cubes before they melt.
By Robin
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Super Brownies
Ingredients:
- 1 c. melted butter
- 2 c. sugar
- 1/2 c. cocoa
- 4 eggs
- 1 tsp. salt.
- 1 1/2 c. flour
- 2 tsp. vanilla
- 1 c. black walnuts (opt.)
Directions:
Beat together butter, sugar and cocoa. Beat in eggs. Stir in dry ingredients, vanilla and nuts. Pour into greased jelly roll pan and bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes.
Frosting:
- 1 c. sugar
- 1/3. c. milk
- 1/4 c.butter
- 1 oz. chocolate square (bitter)
- Dash of salt
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in saucepan. Bring to a boil. Boil 1 minute and remove from heat. Cool pan in ice water and do not stir while frosting is cooling. Beat to spreading consistency; frost brownies.
By Robin
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Fried Sweet Corn
Ingredients:
- 8 large ears of sweet corn
(husked, silked & washed)
- Whipping cream
- 3 T. brown sugar (firmly packed)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1/2 stick butter
Directions:
Cut corn kernels from each cob and scrape each cob to remove the cream from the cob. Spray electric skillet with Pam. Melt butter in skillet. Place corn in skillet. Top with brown sugar and cream to cover corn. Season with salt and pepper. Cover; bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer. Stir often. As it cooks down, stir to keep from burning. Bring caramelization to the top while stirring. This will take 20-25 minutes. The corn will have a beautiful golden color. Truly delicious!
By Robin
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Cranberry Frost
Divide 1 quart lemon sherbet among 8 small glass cups or frosted goblets; freeze until serving time. Just before serving, pour 1 quart cranberry juice cocktail over sherbet. Serves 8.
By Robin
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Crabapple Flea, Tick and Spider Deterrent
Here's a tip for a free way to rid your home of fleas, ticks and spiders. Gather crabapples (also called horse apples) when they fall - usually around this time of year. Cut them in half and place them around your baseboards. These insects hate the scent of them and will leave in a hurry! I once freed a mobile home of flea infestation using this method, it works really well!
By Glynda Lomax
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Inexpensive Shampoo for Color Treated Hair
Instead of buying expensive shampoo to protect your dyed hair, buy a 20 oz. bottle of WalMart's "Parent's Choice" baby shampoo for less than $1.35. The label states it is mild enough to use on colored or permed hair.
By Katie A.
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Party Pizza Cookie
Ingredients:
- 1 8 oz. tube refrigerated sugar cookie dough.
- 1/8 cup flour
- 1/3 cup mini-marshmallows
- 1/2 cup roughly chopped fun size candy bars
- 1 cup M&Ms
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. On a lightly floured surface, knead the cookie dough into a ball. Transfer the ball to the cookie sheet and roll into a 12 inch circle, flouring your rolling pin as needed. Score the dough into pizza wedges, using the tip of knife. Bake 15 minutes.
Remove from oven and top with the mini-marshmallows, chopped candy and M&Ms. Return to oven and bake for another 7 minutes, simply to soften candies. To serve, cut into wedges.
By Gladys Hill
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Treating Bruises
Using an ice pack, place on bruise for 20 minutes at a time the first 24 to 72 hours. Cold helps keep swelling down and helps relieve pain.
After 72 hours, apply warm heat pack, or hot water bottle filled with warm water. (Notice, I said Warm, not Hot!!!) Apply for 20 minutes at a time, then remove for 20 minutes. Heat helps healing.
By Gladys Hill
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Sprucing Up Your Table Saw
Does the top of your table saw look bad? Brighten its appearance by spraying it with rust remover or WD-40. Then scour with #3 steel wool pads on a pad sander. Surfaces will shine like new after a few minutes work. Be sure not to saturate the sanders felt pad.
By Gladys Hill
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Sharpen Your Dull Knife
Don't have a sharpening stone? Use a ceramic mug with a rough base. Turn mug upside down and using your opposite hand, hold the mug in place with the mug handle. Carefully run the blade at a slight angle across the bottom of the mug. Always do this with blade moving away from your body.
By Gladys Hill
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Pet Stains and Odors
To remove pet stains and odors, equally mix vinegar and water and apply to stain. Works better than any commercial cleaner.
By Mary Leopard
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Freezer Meal - Vegetable Beef Soup
Using a crock pot, cook a chuck roast in your usual way, separate the meat and liquids into portions for soup starters and freeze. I freeze mine into 4 portions but it depends on how much meat you like in your soup.
When you're ready for soup, pop one portion into a pot, add a can of vegetable (v8) juice, a can of each, tomatoes, green beans, carrots, peas, corn, mushrooms and any leftover veggies from the freezer (broccoli, etc.). You can also add dried barley, onion, celery (which also can come from the freezer). Cook until the barley is done and you have homemade soup in minutes.
By Ceil
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Frugal Wisdom
It is important to keep in mind that frugality isn't just about collecting and using specific tips for saving money. It is a whole mindset. You should always be in the habit of thinking a little outside the box.
Before you throw something away, question whether it can be reused, repaired, or used for an entirely different function. Also make sure, if the product is consumable (such as ketchup or shampoo), that you have used every last bit (turn bottles upside down, cut open tubes, etc. to get the last of it).
Before buying something new, ask yourself if you absolutely must have it, or can something you already have work. Maybe you can even do without the item altogether. Avoid getting caught up in the "must haves" of today's society.
The world will not end if you cancel cable TV.
If you must purchase something, look for the cheapest price. It doesn't matter if it is a gallon of milk, or a washing machine - somebody, somewhere, will have it at least a bit cheaper. Use common sense, however. It's pointless to spend $5 on gas to get to a store further away to save $4 on a purchase!
By Leann D
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Cheap Batteries
If you live near an IKEA, buy your AA batteries there. They are only $1.95 for a pack of 10 and they perform just as well as the expensive name brands!
By Erin Kelly
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Other Active Topics
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Tip Contest
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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 November 30th.
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.
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New Requests:
Instructions for Making a Rug Loom
I would like instructions on how to make a rug loom.
Thanks,
Darla from Montana
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Home Remedies for Dog
Our dog of 3 years looks like skin and bones, he is fed 2 times a day. I thought maybe he may have parvo, we have no money for a vet, are there any home remedies?
Thank you for any advice.
Lazetta
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Cat Peeing In Kids Room
I have had my cat for 3 years, nevered peed before and now he pees only in the kids room where he sleeps. The cat is fixed. What do i do?
Robert
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Clean Burnt Grease Off Old Drip Pans
I have some old drip pans that I can't get the burnt food and grease off of. I need a simple solution to get them clean.
Soulegal
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Looking For Crockpot Recipes
I work 40 hours a week, I have a husband and a baby. My husband works 12 hour shifts at night he leaves for work before I get home. I have been leaving his meals in the crockpot, but I am running out of recipes. Could someone help?
Thanks,
Shannon in NC
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Bleached White Shirt Is Now Yellow
I soaked a white shirt in a bleach solution to remove some mud and the shirt turned yellow instead. Does anyone know what I can do to turn it white again? I don't want to bleach it again.
Carolyn
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Cure For Bad Dog Breath
I have two dogs. When the older dog does his business outside the younger dog licks up the pee. Consequently the younger dog has horrible breath. They use a doggy door during the day when I am not home, so there is no way to let them out separately. Is there a way to stop this behavior or is there anything I can put in the water/food so that his breath is not so foul?
Sandy from Utah
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Butter Stain on Leather Chair
Can someone tell me the best way to remove a butter stain from my Sweetheart's favorite leather chair? I have thought perhaps cornstarch or baking soda to get excess?
Thank you so much,
Sherri - Ga
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Car Grease on Cashmere Scarf
I recently got car grease on a very expensive crinkled cashmere scarf. Besides sending it to a dry cleaner which I do not wish to do because of the crinkles, does anyone have a good cleaning solution? Thank you.
clam379
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Salt Dough Turkey Centerpiece
Several years ago I made a beautiful turkey centerpiece out of salt dough. Unfortunately, I cannot find the instructions. I remember that the dough was rolled out then cut with a pizza cutter into strips. The dough strips were then placed over an inverted glass mixing bowl forming "loops" to create the tail. The rest of the turkey was just formed out of the dough and then baked to harden. Once hardened, you placed a block of foam behind the tail loops into which you inserted real feathers or dried flowers, etc.
I would be overjoyed if anyone has the instructions for this project. I have the salt dough recipe, just need the instructions.
Lou Ann from Utah
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Gnats on Houseplants
How can I get rid of gnats! I have a lot of indoor plants and all of a sudden I am plagued by gnats. Have tried a mixture of cornmeal and water but can't get rid of them completely. I don't know if I have used the cornmeal properly. HELP!
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More Reading:
How to Repair Your Credit History and Improve Your Credit Score
By Michelle Simms
If you're thinking of buying or refinancing a home, make sure you repair your credit history before you apply for financing. Doing so, can speed up the loan approval process, plus lower your loan fees.
View Article: Click Here
A Tasty Holiday Tradition
By Amanda Formaro
Every year, right after Thanksgiving, I fill my grocery cart with delectable goodies that will fill my kitchen with wonderful smells. It's the time of year when I bake, and bake, and bake some more.
Post Feedback: Click Here
Make a Budget to Help Your Dreams Come True!
By Monica Resinger
A budget helps you to see where your money is going and helps you determine where you can cut back. It is also an important guide for what to do with your money when you get paid. If you are serious about your financial goals, a budget is an absolute necessity.
View Article: Click Here
Oat Bran and Dried Fruit Muffins
This recipe uses dried fruit to add sweetness and a chewy texture to these moist, golden-brown muffins.
By Kathy
View Article: Click Here
Potty Training a Dog to Go In One Place
"Convincing Your Dog to Potty in One Place. Adapted From: Dog Tricks For Dummies. Having a dog that eliminates in a designated place is a real advantage. No yellow stains marking up the lawn, no standing outside for hours waiting for your dog to go, a handy travel cue to take with you on trips; the benefits are endless!"
Thank you to Racer for recommending this link.
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Online Advent Calendars
There are a lot of sites on the internet that have online advent calendars and a few sites with printables to make your own.
View Article: Click Here
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