Daily Thrifty Tips
Volume Three, Number 109, August 19, 2004
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello,
We have good news on the server front. We have just ordered a brand new server that should be installed early next month. It will be 4 times faster than our current machine so it should eliminate a lot of the slowdowns that we have been having.
We made a couple minor changes to the new Active Topics section, it's a page we created to make it easier to track what is being discussed on ThriftyFun.
View Active Topics: Click Here
Thanks for reading,
Susan
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If you are looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem,
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Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Tips:
- Painting with Less Cleanup
- Fantastik Oxy Power Spray on Laundry Stains
- Great Gift Idea: Gel Potpourri Jars
- Frugal Candle Warmer
- The Many Uses of WD-40
- Frugal and Nutritious Breads and Grain
- Feedback: Scrap Fabrics
- Feedback: Clutter Control Tips
- Feedback: Craft uses for old clothing
- Feedback: Brand Names Vs. Your Budget
- Feedback: Pilling a Cat
- Feedback: Uses for Old Socks
- Other Active Topics
- Today's Recipe: Baked Chicken Nuggets
New Requests:
- Plants that Deer Won't Eat
- Marker on Couch
- Help with cooking chicken
More Reading:
- The Planning of a Bridal Shower!
- Helping Daughter With Debt
- Ten Dos and Don'ts for School Daze
- Are You in a School Daze?
- Take the Bite Out of Mosquitoes this Summer
- Apples
- Greeting Card Grab Bag
- Hand Stripping Furniture
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Today's Tips
Painting with Less Cleanup
Before you start painting with a roller, try this and I swear you'll never do it any other way again!
Get a plastic bag (no holes) big enough to fit over your paint tray in with a bit extra so it fills the recess where the paint goes too. Use some masking tape to seal the bag with the tray inside. If you're using a mini roller tray a sandwich bag may fit best.
Use the tray as normal. When you've done, use a brush to squidge any remaining paint back into the tin. Remove the tape, put your hand inside the bag and grab the painty bit and turn it inside out. Put it in the bin (or put your roller in it if you want to start painting again the next day as the bag will stop it from drying out.)
I do this every time I paint and it's so nice to not have to clean out the tray as well!
By chickybiker
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Fantastik Oxy Power Spray on Laundry Stains
I have found using Fantastik Oxy Power spray on laundry stains works wonders. I am able to use it on everything. It also works well on carpet without damage. I love the fact I can buy one bottle and get so many uses out of it. By Chris Blaylock
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Great Gift Idea: Gel Potpourri Jars
16 oz bottle liquid potpourri concentrate
4 envelopes Knox gelatin
3 8oz jelly jars (or baby food jars)
Heat half the liquid potpourri in saucepan or microwave. Stir in the gelatin until dissolved. Add remaining potpourri and stir until dissolved. Pour gelatin mixture into jars and place jars in fridge for about 2 hours to set. Cut a piece of lace about 2" in diameter larger than the opening in the jar. Center the lace over the opening and screw on the ring (don't use the lid). Tie a thin ribbon around the ring if desired.
Fantastik Gift Ideas or for personal use.
By Chris Blaylock
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Frugal Candle Warmer
I burn lots of scented candles. When they get too low to burn, I use them on a candle warmer. Instead of buying a candle warmer for $10, I bought 3 coffee cup warmers at the local thrift store for 99 cents each. One has an automatic shut-off so I don't have to remember to turn it off. By Jonna Marsh
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The Many Uses of WD-40
My tip is to make the most out of your WD-40! The stuff has more than 2000 uses. I use mine for shining up my cupboards by spraying it on and wiping it off, for shining up my shower and bathtub (just make sure not to spray it on the floor of the shower), and it's especially good for wiping fingerprints off of furniture (just to be safe, spray the WD-40 on a cloth). By Lisa Trudeau
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Frugal and Nutritious Breads and Grain
Look for bargains on day-old bread and bakery products. Buy regular rice, oatmeal, and grits instead of the instant and flavored types. Try whole-grain bread and brown rice to add nutrients and variety to family meals.
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Feedback: Scrap Fabrics
You can decoupage using the odds and ends pieces of material....Buy Modpodge at your local craft store (the matte finish) also buy a few foam brushes. Take a smooth clean surface lampshade, picture frame, a clear smooth plate (for the plate you decoupage on the reverse side on top of the fabric) etc. etc. Brush the modpodge on, glue the fabric down every which way, sides touching. When dry recoat the top of your project with more modpodge and let dry. You can do this with any flat surface. Have fun! For the plate you can put a picture of a loved one in the middle and modpodge fabric around it. This will not be able to go in the dishwasher....it is for decorative purposes only.
By Pat
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Feedback: Clutter Control Tips
Turn your "clutter" into cash by selling clothes, collectibles, etc on ebay! Too much trouble? Set a goal of a major garage sale at least once a year and donate remainder to charity. I make a LOT of money selling "junk" each year.
When shopping, live by the mantra "Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without".
By LaurainTx
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Feedback: Craft uses for old clothing
You can cut the sleeves from t-shirts into rings and use the rings instead of purchased loops for weaving potholders. Great colors! You can also do this with the tops of worn socks.
By jlxian
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Feedback: Brand Names Vs. Your Budget
I suggest you determine how much the unbranded item - say generic jeans - would cost. Contibute that amount to toward the purchase of the brand name and let your child use his/her own money to pay the difference. S/he may decide the brand isn't so important when it's her own money she is spending! Or, you would be surprised what you can find at resale and thrift stores, in upscale neighborhoods especially. No one needs to know where the XXXJeans came from!
By Linda
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Feedback: Pilling a Cat
Not all meds can be crushed. Check with vet or pharmacist. If they can be, mix the crushed or liquid med with any semi-solid wet food and sneakily rub it onto the cat's paw. Cats like to be clean, so he will then lick it off. That's what I do with the hairball meds all the time.
By Linda
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Feedback: Uses for Old Socks
I have a couple suggestions...
1) You can easily turn an old sock into very creative clothing for dolls (such as a Barbie doll), by cutting the toe-part off and just getting a lil creative :)
2) You can make a very festive puppet, the one I made was a reindeer for Christmas...
You simply stuff the sock with fluff or anything really, and then tie an elastic around the opening...then glue the front part of the sock down...so it looks like a head and a neck...the rest you can leave to your imagination, be Creative! (This is also a fun project for kids to work on!)
By Mandy
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Other Active Topics:
Today's Recipe: Baked Chicken Nuggets
4 Servings, about 3 ounces each
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 pounds Chicken thighs, boneless, skinless
- 1 cup Ready-to-eat cereal, cornflakes, crumbs
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian herb seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Onion powder
Directions
Preparation Time:15 Minutes
Conventional Cooking Time:12 To 14 Minutes
Microwave Cooking Time:6 To 8 Minutes
1.Remove skin and bone; cut thighs into bite-sized pieces.
2. Place cornflakes in plastic bag and crush by using a rolling pin.
3. Add remaining ingredients to crushed cornflakes. Close bag tightly and shake until blended.
4. Add a few chicken pieces at a time to crumb mixture. Shake to coat evenly.
Conventional Method
1. Preheat oven to 400F. Lightly grease a cooking sheet.
2. Place chicken pieces on cooking sheet so they are not touching.
3. Bake until golden brown, about 12 to 14 minutes.
Microwave Method:
1. Lightly grease an 8- by 12-inch baking dish.
2. Place chicken pieces on baking dish so they are not touching. Cover with waxed paper and cook on high.
3. Rotate chicken every 2 to 3 minutes. Cook until tender, about 6 to 8 minutes. Note:
To remove bone from chicken thighs:
1. Place chicken on cutting board. Remove skin from thighs.
2. Turn chicken thighs over.
3. Cut around bone and remove it.
Per Serving:
Calories 175
Total fat 8 grams
Saturated fat 2 grams
Cholesterol 67 milligrams
Sodium 127 milligrams
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Our current prize is: Home Coffee Roasting Kit
This kit includes everything you need to get started roasting coffee at home on your stove, in your oven, or in a hot air popcorn popper. Includes the book Coffee Roasting at Home by Susan Sanders and Fletcher Sandbeck, 1 lb of green, unroasted coffee beans, and coffee bags to store your roast.
Enter the contest!
New Requests:
Plants that Deer Won't Eat
Deer won't eat everything and some of what they or don't eat is pretty. I would be interested in hearing what yard plants (domestic or wild) others have successfully grown in areas where deer are frequent visitors. I am not looking for ways to keep deer out. I am interested in plants that deer will ignore. Thanks, Rene
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Marker on Couch
Hey everyone, I had a party and one of my friends was tattooing us with stanford sharpy permanent markers. Then we sat on the couch! The marker rubbed off on the couch and now my dad is mad! i need some ideas on how to get it out! HELP ME! Tamachan
This article has 0 Feedback. View Article: Click Here
Help with cooking chicken
How can I keep chicken from bleeding while I am frying it? Blood seeps from the joints as it cooks. Not good!! Mary from Missouri
This article has 1 Feedback. View Article: Click Here
Looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem? Submit
your request here: Click Here
More Reading
The Planning of a Bridal Shower!
By Mike Yeager
Planning a bridal shower? Maybe a dear friend or even sister is getting married and you are in charge of planning the bridal shower? Bridal showers are customary and traditional. They aren't all about the bridal shower gifts though! They are a way to welcome new family members and celebrate a new beginning for the couple. But, they can also be fun if planned to be.
View Article: Click Here
Helping Daughter With Debt
By Scott Bilker
Our daughter, who is 31 and single, has $15,000 in credit card debt that would we like to help her get out from under. This debt consists of two different maxed out credit card accounts that are both charging very high interest rates, as well as late charges and over the limit fees. We are considering refinancing our mortgage, which currently has a balance of $47,000 and a 5.75% rate...
View Article: Click Here
Ten Dos and Don'ts for School Daze
By Susan Dunn, MA
Kids all over the nation are returning to school. Here are some things to anticipate, and some tips.
View Article: Click Here
Are You in a School Daze?
By Susan Dunn, MA
All around the country along about now, the kids are going back to school. While it's primarily their event, it impacts the whole family, as everyone adjusts to new schedules and routines.
View Article: Click Here
Take the Bite Out of Mosquitoes this Summer
By Judy Leiser
Mosquitoes have always been pesty visitors when it comes to summer enjoyment, but because of the West Nile virus, it has become critical that we do whatever we can to reduce the number of mosquitoes paying visits to our yards.
View Article: Click Here
Apples
By Jennifer A. Wickes
Did you know that Johnny Appleseed was born John Chapman on September 26th, 1774? He was known as Johnny Appleseed for spreading apple seeds all over Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Illinois!
View Article: Click Here
Greeting Card Grab Bag
By Rachel Paxton
I admire people who are always thinking of others, sending out greeting cards just to let someone know they're thinking about them. But greeting cards are so expensive these days.
View Article: Click Here
Hand Stripping Furniture
By Steve Hattrick
Directions for HAND Stripping. Work with plenty of ventilation, safety goggles or glases, and skin protection. Stay out of the direct sun and stay protected from wind or strong drafts if working outside.
View Article: Click Here
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Thanks
Susan
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