Daily Thrifty Tips
Volume Three, Number 226, December 30, 2004
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello,
We have lots of "Lonely Requests" right now. No, this is not a "lonely hearts" section but Reader's Requests without answers yet. The main reason for this is that we have been getting a LOT of requests. We have 14 new requests in the last 24 hours.
For the Lonely Requests page visit:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/board_lonely.html
For all Recent Requets visit:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/readersrequest/index.html?mode=clear
If you have any Family Oriented New Year's Eve Ideas to share or are looking for ideas, check out this recent request:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf659994.tip.html
Thanks for reading,
Susan
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Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Tips:
- How to Tell if Grapes are Fresh
- Bean Burgers
- Chicken Green Chile Enchilada Casserole
- Tuna Burgers
- Collapsible Chair Bags For Storing Wrapping Paper
- Caramel Pecans or Walnuts
- Minor Burn Remedy
- Healing Pierced Ears With Hydrocortisone
- Keeping Cross-Stitch Needles Handy
- Organizing Coupons - Creating Sections In Your Coupon Pouch
- Uncooked Apricot Balls
- Uses for old sheets?
- Bread Machine Tips
- Gum Drop Cookie
- Red Ribbon Carrot Cookies
- Cleaning Copper
- Homemade Noodles
- Corn Fritters
- Uses for Old Towels
- Growing Strawberries In A Wheelbarrow
- Saving Money on Shipping and Packing Material
- Extra Counter Space With Baking Sheets
- Prepare for Next Christmas - Used Gifts Theme
- Saving Money On Cleaning Contact Lenses
New Requests:
- Asking a Guy To Winter Formal
- Yellow Marks On Dishes
- Flame Retardent Plastic Table Covers
- Storing Soy Milk Without Refrigeration
- Turnpike Salad Recipe
- How Do You Kill A Mulberry Tree
- Solutions For Shedding
- Mouse Problems
- Red Candle Wax out of White Tablecloth
- Looking For Dollhouse Pattern
- Removing Hair Spray From Furniture
- Paint Splatters On Winter Coat
- Strong Gas Odor In Renovated Garage Bedroom
- Ink Spot On New Couch
- Making Pants Shorter
More Reading:
- 5 Ways to Organize Your Finances
- Tips to Get You Ready for Next Christmas
- 7 Frugal Activities for Bored Kids!
- Frontline - 8 Things a Credit Card User Should Know
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Today's Sponsor
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Today's Tips
How to Tell if Grapes are Fresh
By Food Reference Newsletter
The easiest and best way to pick the freshest grapes in your local market is to hold a bunch by the stem. Shake gently - if grapes drop off the stem, they have been in storage for too long. If the grapes are firmly attached, are plump and bright, they are fresh .
Store grapes in the coldest part of the refrigerator in a plastic bag. Wash them well before serving, but NOT before putting them in the refrigerator.
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Bean Burgers
Ingredients:
- 1 can kidney beans
- 2 cups brown rice -- cooked
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1/8 teaspoon thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon sage
- salt and pepper - to taste
- 1/4 cup onion -- chopped fine
Directions:
Combine everything in a large bowl and mash well. Form into 6 patties and cook in a non-stick pan until browned on both sides.
By Anna
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Chicken Green Chile Enchilada Casserole
Ingredients:
- 9 (6") corn tortillas, cut in half
- 2 (10 ounce) cans enchilada sauce
- 2 cups sour cream
- 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
- 2 (4 ounce) cans diced green chiles
- 1 cup fresh corn kernels
- 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - boiled and cut into small pieces.
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium bowl, combine sour cream, cheese, chile peppers, corn, and chicken. Mix together well. Dip 9 tortilla halves in enchilada sauce, and arrange them in the bottom of a lightly greased 9x13" baking dish. Spread 1/2 chicken mixture over the tortilla layer. Repeat. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until center is heated through.
By Anna
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Tuna Burgers
Ingredients:
- 1 small can Tuna
- 3 hard boiled Eggs, chopped
- 8 oz. Cheddar Cheese, grated
- 2 Tbsp. Onion, grated
- 2 Tbsp. Green Pepper, chopped
- 2 Tbsp. Olives, chopped (optional)
- 2 Tbsp. Sweet Relish
- 1/2 cup Miracle Whip or Mayonnaise
Directions:
Fill hamburger rolls with mixture and wrap in foil. Bake 20 minutes at 350°F.
By Anna
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Collapsible Chair Bags For Storing Wrapping Paper
If you don't keep your collapsible chairs in the pouch they came in you can store your rolls of wrapping paper in them. It keeps light and dust from ruining the rolls of paper.
By sandy dawson
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Caramel Pecans or Walnuts
Mix up a batch of the caramel syrup like you would use on caramel popcorn and drizzle over walnuts or pecans. Toast for 10-15 mins. in heated oven. Let cool. Sooo good!
By Tawnda
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Minor Burn Remedy
When you have a mild burn, rub toothpaste over it and sprinkle some salt. It prevents the blisters.
By Carot
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Healing Pierced Ears With Hydrocortisone
I have tried everything to get my ears to heal up since I had them pierced about ten years ago. I could wear nothing but gold. I started putting 1% hydrocortisone on my ears and after just a few days my ears are completely healed and I can wear any earrings now. It works. Even the cheapie ones.
By Bonnie-Jean Garcia
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Keeping Cross-Stitch Needles Handy
To keep from losing my cross-stitch needles all the time, I glued a magnetic strip to the inside lid of the box I keep my embroidery floss in. I no longer lose them, and I can easily find the needle I need.
By Camilla
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Organizing Coupons
Save the envelopes that you get with bills, seal the flap inside the envelope, and label the type of coupon you put in it. Then put the envelope into your coupon pouch, with the address facing the back. You can use these to section your coupon pouch. You can also reuse some of your incoming mail envelopes too! Add some scotch tape at the top edges for stability, since you will be thumbing through them often.
Most Important: Be sure to keep your coupon pouch under the front seat of your car (or in your glove box), so you will "always" have the coupons with you. You never know when you might need them!
By Syd
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Uncooked Apricot Balls
Ingredients:
- 3 cups dried apricots (ground)
- 1 can condensed milk
- 4 cups coconut
Directions:
Mix all together. Add some grated orange peel and a few squirts of lemon juice. Form into small balls and roll in powdered sugar. Store in airtight containers. Freezes very well.
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.
Using Old Bed Sheets
Make:
pillow cases
pillow cover to use on airline pillows
table cloths & napkins
baby crib sheets
Cut quilt pieces & make a quilt
duvet cover
cover a ratty old blanket
window toppers or curtains
Use your imagination
By Syd
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Bread Machine Tips
Tips and advice for using bread machines. Post your ideas below!
Removing The Paddle Easily
When your bread is ready to remove from the machine tip it upside down and use a Chinese chopstick to remove the paddle. It comes out so easy. Don't have chopsticks? Next time you or any one you know goes out to eat at a Chinese restaurant request chopsticks and then wella, you're all set to go.
By joesgirl
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Gum Drop Cookie
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 2 cups sifted flour
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1 cup sliced gum drops
Directions:
Combine butter and brown sugar in saucepan. Cook until bubbly. Cool to room temperature. Add eggs, one at a time. Beat well. Add vanilla. Sift dry ingredients and add with gum drops to other mixture. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 350 for about 7-10 minutes. Watch closely!
By Robin
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Red Ribbon Carrot Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup butter
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 cup cooked carrots
- 1 tsp. orange flavoring
- 1 egg
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. salt
Directions:
Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add carrots, egg and flavoring. Beat well. Sift dry ingredients. Add to creamed mixture. When well blended, drop by teaspoon on greased cookie sheet. Bake for 15 minutes in 350 degree oven.
By Robin
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Cleaning Copper
If you haven't any copper cleaner, you can clean copper bottomed pots and other kitchen utensils with toothpaste and a damp cloth.
By joesgirl
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Homemade Noodles
Ingredients:
- 1 egg
- 1 Tbsp. cooking oil
- 1 Tbsp. water
- 1/4 tsp. baking powder
- 1 or more cups flour
Directions:
Combine egg, oil and water. beat well. Combine flour and baking powder with liquid. Roll out paper thin. Let rest. Slice and let dry before cooking. There is no salt in this recipe.
By Robin
View Article: Click Here
Corn Fritters
Ingredients:
- 4 Tbsp. flour
- 1/2 tsp. soda
- 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 5 Tbsp. butter
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 egg whites (stiffly beaten)
Directions:
Beat egg; add corn, flour, baking powder and a pinch of salt (and a little grated onion, if you desire). Mix thoroughly and fry by spoonfuls until golden brown. Makes 7 fritters.
By Robin
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Uses for Old Towels
We are looking for all the practical uses for old towels that are no longer in good enough shape to use in the bathroom.
Recycle Old Towels
Make pot holders
Make hand mitts for washing & buffing the cars
Make decorative square pillow covers
Make baby bibs
Add trim to make a baby blanket
Young babies like pillows and get them yucky, make covers & start with a clean pillow each day.
Use your imagination!
By Syd
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Growing Strawberries In A Wheelbarrow
If you love strawberries I have found that the best place to grow them so nothing eats them and they get the best sun all day is in an old wheelbarrow. The strawberries stay clean, they can live on the back verandah or wherever you can keep an eye on the birds etc. It's also easy to keep the ants away from them. My grandchildren love to come and pick strawberries from my 'special' wheelbarrow of sweetness.
By Trish
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Saving Money on Shipping and Packing Material
Tips and ideas for saving money on shipping and packing material. Post your ideas.
Packing Breakables
Use shredded paper as packing when sending breakables. Just run old catalogs or newspapers through the shredder.
By Camilla
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Extra Counter Space With Baking Sheets
I live in a very small house and the kitchen is tiny. I do a lot of freezer cooking and holiday baking so I never have enough counter space for everything. What I have been doing is to pull out the top drawers and using them to rest my cookie sheets on. When the cookie sheets aren't used for baking they can still hold ingredients or utensils.
By K. Cooper
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Prepare for Next Christmas - Used Gifts Theme
Talk with people that you exchange gifts with this year to see if they would like to change the theme for next year's gift giving, like shopping at thrift stores, flea markets, yard sales, only, for gifts You might be surprised!
Or set a dollar amount and see who can get the best value for the set amount of money!
Make up rules and make a game of it! There are a lot of really nice things that you find throughout the year. It's fun and will save on the hectic Christmas shopping rush next year.
By Syd
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Saving Money On Cleaning Contact Lenses
Tips for saving money on cleaning solutions for contact lenses. Post your ideas.
I still use cleaner along with the multi-purpose solution. Saline is cheaper than the multi-purpose solution, so I rinse with the saline and store in the multi-purpose solution.
Use generic brands which are cheaper than name brands, even if you have a manufacturer's coupon.
By Syd
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Other Active Topics
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http://www.thriftyfun.com/board.html
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 December 31st.
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
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New Requests:
Asking a Guy To Winter Formal
I have recently been wanting to ask a guy to our school dance, Winter Formal, but I am really shy around him and don't know how to ask him. My ex-boyfriend broke up with me a while ago, but I am still afraid of being rejected. Any advice?
Heather
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Yellow Marks On Dishes
Hi everyone, my question is... I have a dishwasher and it has left some yellowish scorch marks on my dishes, does anyone have any ideas on how to remove this?
Kim
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Flame Retardent Plastic Table Covers
I am putting together a stage like area, and am working with plastic table covers. The event that this is for is questioning if they are flame retardent. I don't know. How can you check?
Michelle
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Storing Soy Milk Without Refrigeration
I am British but currently studying in Ghana,West Africa. Can anyone help me with the name of any chemical that I can use to help preserve soy milk for more than 120 days without a refrigerator?
Kevin from Ghana
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Turnpike Salad Recipe
Does any one remember a salad called turn pike salad? I believe it was a type of macaroni salad.
TRS
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How Do You Kill A Mulberry Tree
Does anybody know how to kill a mulberry tree? I have tried cutting it down but it keeps coming back.
Karen
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Solutions For Shedding
I have a Jack Russell Terrier that really sheds, and all I know to do is suck it up with my vaccuum daily, and it's still full by morning. Keeping a sweater on her helps, but won't be good for the summer. If you know of any good solutions please let me know.
Sandy in Kansas
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Mouse Problems
Alright here is my situation we just recently had a mouse problem and we set up some of those sticky pads but it only caught some of them and we bought an electrical thing that when you connect it that it sends some noise that only mice can hear and it didn't work cause they are still here so can anyone help me and tell me what to get rid of them. - John
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Red Candle Wax out of White Tablecloth
How do I get red dried candle wax out of my white Christmas tablecloth?
LaGayle from Arizona
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Looking For Dollhouse Pattern
I'm looking for plan or patterns for dollhouses for my 3 year old. I want to make a dollhouse myself for my daughter - a challenge for me. And hopefully fun for her. I'd be grateful for any help anyone can give. Thanks,
Donna in New Zealand
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Removing Hair Spray From Furniture
Hello everybody, I am having trouble with getting hair spray off my daughters dresser. I don't have a clue to what to clean it with.It's on the mirror as well. Hope some of you good readers can help me clean up the build up.
Thanks for your help,
Teresa from VA
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Paint Splatters On Winter Coat
I found what appears to be white paint splatters on my winter coat. The coat surface is smooth/shiny and the color is dark green. Any ideas on how to remove? There are lots of spots...
Vonda
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Strong Gas Odor In Renovated Garage Bedroom
I recently moved into a new rental and my room is a partially renovated garage. Last night was my first night in the house and I couldn't sleep due to the strong gas fume odor. The walls are drywalled but the ceiling is exposed wood beams. I believe the odor is reminant from when it was used as a garage but it smells like there is a a gas exhaust venting into my room. Is there anything I can do to mask or rid this room of this nauseous odor? Help.
Jocelynsd
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Ink Spot On New Couch
My son got blue ink on the $10,000 couch and I owe my marirage and his life to your advice.
Thanks,
Matt
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Making Pants Shorter
I want to shorten my daughters pants and I was woundering how much extra length should I give myself so I get a hem like the stores give them?
Sandy from IL
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Today's Sponsor
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More Reading:
5 Ways to Organize Your Finances
By Maria Gracia
If you haven't balanced your checkbook in awhile, or you lose your incoming bills before they're paid or you put off filing your tax returns because it's just too difficult to get everything together, than it's probably time to organize your finances. Here are 5 quick ideas:
View Article: Click Here
Tips to Get You Ready for Next Christmas
By Angela Billings
The big day is over and now you have to think about taking
all the holiday decorations down and putting them
away. Instead of being tired and just throwing it all
together in a big box you can do some things to get you
ready for next year.
View Article: Click Here
7 Frugal Activities for Bored Kids!
By Cyndi Roberts
Christmas is over, but the kids are still home from school for a few more days. You're all tired of playing the new games, but what else is there to do? Try these fun, frugal activities!
View Article: Click Here
Frontline - 8 Things a Credit Card User Should Know
By Susan Sanders-Kinzel
I watched a "Frontline" last night about credit card and credit practices of the banks. There is a lot to know about interest rates, minimum payments, late and over limit fees. Credit card companies can change your interest rate with only 15 days notice for any reason.
View Article: Click Here
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