Daily Thrifty Tips May 10, 2004

Hello

Hope all the Moms out there had a lovely Mother's Day. Today we have a ton of great tips. We also have received quite a few new requests since our last newsletter so be sure to check those out.

If you know someone who may like this newsletter or ThriftyFun.com, please pass the word on for us.

Contest ends today!
Enter Our Tip Contest: AOL Link

Thanks for reading,

Susan

Finding Studs in Your Wall

Did you know that an old and tired electric razor works as a stud finder? I bought a wed/dry electric razor at a garage sale a couple years ago and was not able to refurbish it. Now I put it to use as a stud finder. I gently slide it across the wall and the sound produced by the razor on the wall clearly changes when it encounters a stud.

A lot of razors that no longer are effective for shaving will work as stud finders! One thing to note, the razor I use doesn't scratch or harm the wall or paint, but there are a lot of different kinds of razors so you may want to test it an out of sight place first.

Joe

Post Feedback: Click Here

More Thoughts on Pioneer Solutionism

(Editor's Note: We had a request for Janeene to tell more about her "Pioneer Solutionism" and she generously responded.)

I think the first principle of Pioneer Solutionism is flexibility. Don't fall in love with things or methods. Instead, fall in love with how good it feels to use your head instead of your purse. If the recipe calls for an ingredient you don't have, first think about whether or not that ingredient is necessary, and if so if there is anything else that might be almost as good that's already in your pantry. Be logical about it. If you need 1 tablespoon of 5 different sauces to make the latest meat loaf, you might as well buy filet mignon. Choose another recipe. My favorite words are "Hmmm, that's a possible way to think!" and I remind myself of those words whenever I find myself thinking there's only one way to do something.

Here are a few examples... My son bought a house that had some cosmetic problems. I brought over some craft paint. I painted over badly applied paint on door hardware, from 12 inches away it looks perfect. Same with locks (use metallic paint.) I brought over all of the old material and curtains I had and we came up with curtains for every room and several doors. I used some old rings (painted with metallic paint) for the kitchen, for other rooms I did a quick stitch at the top and ironed in a hem at the bottom. I had a roll of stitch witchery that has to be 30 years old, but it still worked. All of that took one day, his moving day, while he and friends moved his furniture in.

There were a few small wasted spaces in his house, and I did the same thing I had done for mine...made small wooden shelves to fit. Very simple construction but of course it helps that I have a woodshop (that's where I make my living, making Christmas ornaments.) I made a rack for a shower curtain, with a place to clip on a hand-held shower. Mine is about 25 years old and still works fine, both wood and shower, although I've replaced the hose a couple of times. It's the metal-sheathed kind and a good quality head, with a metal diverter at the faucet.

I also make hanging racks for the back of most doors. When the boys were little they were in the shape of baseball bats. Very quick and easy, just a board, a drill, and some dowels for pegs. A band or jig saw helps if you want to make it a shape.

Electricity is a place where I use pioneer solutionism a lot. I keep the cords from bad appliances, and I stock up on switches (especially cord switches), light parts, and plug replacements when stores offer closeouts. I've made a number of lamps, including one built into a small bookcase and one wall lamp for next to my bed. Electricity always follows the rules. Get any old home repair book at a used book sale and it will tell you all you need to know to switch out a bad plug for less than a dollar. I did two for a neighbor last week in under 10 minutes. The main rule is you turn off the electric before you start! Then just do what was done on the old one. She was quoted a price of $100 for that work. I've re-wired the most amazing light fixtures with pressed glass shades, bought at yard sales. Two of them had some broken shades, on these I took apart the broken parts, then put the fixture up against the wall. Looks like they were made that way. They are both gorgeous now.

Plumbing also follows the rules, but you need a lot of upper body strength. If you are (or have) a man, don't be afraid to change a faucet or do other simple plumbing jobs. I used to be able to do it, but alas!

I also make clocks. Michael's has a 40% off coupon in the paper every Sunday. You can get a clock works for less than $3 and make a clock out of photos or painted wood. Very quick and rewarding. I like to have at least one clock works on hand so I can make up a nice gift quickly.

I hope that isn't too much, I could go on and on!

Janeene

Post Feedback: Click Here

Keep a Spray Bottle of Vinegar and Water Handy

I keep a spray bottle filled with vinegar and water. I use it after I take a shower by spraying the shower down. I also use it to clean up throughout the house. Sometimes on walls or baseboards, on counters, sinks, and bathroom sinks as well. It also works as a great deodorizer. By Amy

Post Feedback: Click Here

Use the 10% Rule

I call this "the 10% rule". Whatever you are using, try using 10% less: 10% less laundry detergent, 10% less shampoo, 10% less toothpaste, 10% less hamburger in your casserole. Chances are, you won't even notice that 10% is missing -- and saving a penny here and a penny there DOES add up! By Becki in Indiana

Post Feedback: Click Here

Toilet Paper Tip

Do your kids get mesmerized watching the toilet paper roll spin 'round and 'round, thereby using WAY more paper than they actually need? Next time, before you put the toilet paper roll on the spindle, "squoosh" it slightly between your hands. This will flatten the inner cardboard roll just enough to cause a little resistance as the roll turns -- resulting in fewer "avalanches" of TP! By Becki in Indiana

Post Feedback: Click Here

From the archive... How to Save Eating at Restaurants

When I am too tired to cook I buy a bag of salad and some lean meat or poultry to cut up and eat on top of the salad. Luncheon style meats can be frozen. Many salad ingredients can be purchased canned or frozen. Buy some good bread while you are at it, and then make sandwiches for lunch the following day. My mother buys the hot roasted chickens sold at the supermarkets when she is too tired to cook. She keeps a good supply of quality frozen veggies on hand as well. These foods could save your waistline and blood pressure as well as your wallet.

katkitkat

View Article: Click Here

Tip Contest

Submit a thrifty tip or recipe and you could win a prize. Odds of winning are based on the number of entries we receive and you can submit a tip once a day to increase your chances of winning. Click Here

New Requests:

Burnt Tea Bag in Pot

Hey everyone! I have burnt some tea bags in one of my favorite pots and was looking for a way to clean it. Any thoughts would be great. Thanks, Katie in SC

This article has 0 Feedback. Post Feedback: Click Here

Pigeons on my Balcony

I have a pigeon problem!!! They are invading my balcony. I live on the 4th floor of my building. They are hiding under my BBQ grill and leaving droppings all over the place. Is there a way to get rid of these pesty birds without taking up space on my balcony? -Josephine

This article has 0 Feedback. View Article: Click Here

Turning Garage Into Kids Room

We are hoping to turn our attached garage into a kids tv/play room this summer. We have several issues we are looking at...

This article has 0 Feedback. View Article: Click Here

Rotting Meat Smell in Car

I need help! I let me mother use my car this past week and when I got it back I smelled something awful coming from the back of the vehicle. I went back to investigate and there I found a tub of liver that had been left there for 5 days and had exploded all over the back of the car. It smells so bad I can barely stand to try and clean it.

This article has 1 Feedback. View Article: Click Here

Help With Lawn Problem

I need help with some kind of lawn problem. It's not crabgrass. I have fertilized two years now and it's still there. It's a lot thicker than grass, grows a lot faster than grass and is a darker green. I can't seem to get rid of it. bigbadmomma.

This article has 0 Feedback. View Article: Click Here

Tips for Selling a Car

Hi, I am getting ready to sell my car. It runs ok. Does anyone have any car selling tips? Should I go get it detailed? Should I get a used car assessment of some sort or is that just a waste of money. What should I watch out for? Thanks, Georgie

This article has 0 Feedback. View Article: Click Here

Slugs and Brown Bugs Eating My Roses

My flower garden is infested with slugs and some kind of brown bugs. They even eat my roses. Please help. bigbadmomma.

This article has 0 Feedback. Post Feedback: Click Here

Need Help Paying for Prescription Drugs

I have low income need help with prescriptions. Does anyone have any ideas?

This article has 3 Feedback. Post Feedback: Click Here

Cleaning Chalky Film Off Glasses

My daughter did not let me know that we were out of dishwasher soap and proceeded to use the liquid Jet Dry as soap. Every dish had a chalky film on it. The plastics washed clean after a few washes, but the glass glasses are still chalky looking after several weeks of use. I thought of trying to clean them with vinegar, but wasn't sure if that would help. Anyone ever deal with something like this? Tawnda

This article has 1 Feedback. Post Feedback: Click Here

Looking for a Good Recipe for Hash Browns

Please, PLEASE, find me a recipe for hash browns - a Brit now living in France, I've eaten and enjoyed them in the past, but every recipe I've found says "take X quantity frozen hash browns". I neeeeeeeed the real thing, please, Thanks Liza

This article has 2 Feedback. Post Feedback: Click Here

More Reading

Edible Flowers
By Jennifer A. Wickes

Have you ever been to a restaurant where they have served you a beautiful salad with flower petals scattered around the plate? Or maybe you have had a cake decorated with flowers on top? Perhaps you have visited a Tea Room and were served flower syrup. Edible flowers are the new rage in haute cuisine. The look is elegant; yet preparing flowers for eating is simple and fun to do.

View Article: Click Here

A Healthy Meat Substitute
By Deborah Taylor-Hough

What if I told you I'd found a food you can use like meat that's not only dirt cheap, but also healthier than many other food items on the market? You'd probably think I also had some swamp land in Florida to sell you cheap.

View Article: Click Here

Helping Out: Set up a Coupon File

If you have the extra time, and want to do something for your community, set up a coupon file for a local laundromat (with the owner's approval) or retirement home.

Post Feedback: Click Here

Winning the Grocery Game!
By Deborah Taylor-Hough

Trying to save money on groceries? It can be almost like a game as you look for ways to outsmart the supermarket. Try these ideas for starters:

View Article: Click Here

How to Save Eating at Restaurants

The one area where I really would like to be able to save money is eating out. So many times I am just too tired to cook in the evening and the two of us ends up by eating at a fast food or similar place. Even though we seem to get the cheaper menu items and never order fries, it does add up. Are there any other ways we can save in this area? -Betty

View Article: Click Here

Handling Furniture Imperfections
By Pamela Cole Harris

Any of us that have children or who live with those who received an extra helping of the awkward gene, know what it is to discover furniture nicks, dings and other marks on a daily basis. Since banning the offenders from the room is impractical (and besides, you love the offenders more than the furniture anyway, don't you?), you need a few tips to help you deal with those little imperfections. No! I'm not talking about the kids, because you know down deep - wayyyyy down deep - they are perfect! I'm talking about the furniture!

View Article: Click Here

Clean Sweep

If you have not yet seen the show on TLC called "Clean Sweep", you should! I came from a long line of relatives that hung on to EVERYTHING for whatever reasons. This show has really opened my eyes to what you should or should not keep and when. I have watched high school/college cheerleaders and football players give up uniforms, helmets, trophies, etc. Even heirloom items. If you never use it, let someone else have it or sell it. If you don't have it already displayed in your home and don't intend to, get rid of it. When you have a yard sale, check on ebay for what the items are selling for and use that as a guide. Chances are, whatever is in your home you can cut in half by 50% reduction. Books, music tapes or cd's, toys, clothes, etc.

Tator Bug

View Article: Click Here

Easy-Cheesy Casserole

I have always loved mac-n-cheese, and this variation is one of my favorites!

View Article: Click Here

Fuel Efficient Vehicles
By Kyle Busch

The cost of transportation can be expensive, and higher fuel prices does not help matters. The following vehicles have good ratings, and they will help to stretch your fuel dollars.

View Article: Click Here

Recent Feedback Submitted by Readers: Click Here

Let others know that you like this Ezine:
Vote For the Daily Thrifty Tips

Support ThriftyFun

Three ways to support us:

1. Be sure to visit our website and check out our advertisers from time to time. They keep the lights on.

2. Post feedback and send us requests for frugal solutions to everyday problems.

3. Tell a friend about the Daily Thrifty Tips. Click Here

Thanks

Susan
http://www.thriftyfun.com