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Vol. 8, Num. 104, May 28, 2009 (Read It Online) We mentioned this last week but wanted to make sure it wasn't lost in the shuffle. ThriftyFun no longer publishes the same tips in multiple newsletters. That means that every newsletter has unique content. This goes for requests as well. The reason for the change is that people who subscribed to all our newsletters were getting tired of see the same tips in several places. So, if you don't want to miss out on craft projects or gardening tips, be sure to subscribe to the other lists. The only exception is the Tip of the Day which features a tip that has been previously published in one of the other newsletters. You can subscribe to the newsletters here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/subscribe.ldml Contest winners are picked by you! Be sure to give a thumbs up to tips and photos that you like! Thanks for reading, The ThriftyFun Team
Edit Your Subscriptions: To edit your ThriftyFun subscriptions, click the Update Profile/Email Address link at the bottom of this newsletter.
If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish. More Information:
Diseal (Golden Retriever/Labrador Mix) Diseal is a 9 week old Golden Retriever/Lab mix. I found him on cragislist and fell in love with his cute face. He love to eat Starbucks and play with the kids out side. My pet is so special. He has parvo and we are getting him all of the treatment so he can live a long happy life with us he is just like my other kid we all love him so much He is the sweetest thing. By jcollins6404 from Indianapolis, IN Editor's Note: Here is an update on Diseal's health. Diseal is doing great, he has recovered very well. The vet said he was fully recovered and he will be receiving his next set of shots in two weeks. He is just as playful as ever. Contest Contender!
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We sold our 3 bedroom home and moved into what is known as a 2 bedroom apartment home. We sold all our appliances with the house because we just didn't want to move them. I've spent over $200.00 + at the complex laundromat for 11 months. I was getting tired of the washers and dryers breaking down. And I only did my wash once a week. All the apartments have a space for a washer and dryer. We had to buy an electric dryer because they don't provide the gas connection. And we can't make any modifications to the apartment according to our lease agreement. We purchased a used 3-year old matching Kenmore Washer and dryer for $375.00 + $40.00 delivery charge. You sure can't beat the price of $415.00. Now is that being frugal or what? By MCW from Lewiston, NY Contest Contender!
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Save Money By Growing Vegetables You can cut a lot of grocery costs by growing your own vegetables! This photo was taken of my seasoning pepper plant. By Vaughn from Raymond, AB Contest Contender!
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Piccolo (Cocker Spaniel/Poodle) Piccolo is 8 weeks old and a Cocker Spaniel/Poodle (Cockerpoo or a Spoodle). He's lovely. We got him for company for my 9 year old, who has a medical condition so doesn't get to school or really have any social life. He's been all the healing she needs. Thanks! By Ruth, Aisha and Rosa from UK Contest Contender!
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These contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25!
Use your water that you've cleaned out from the fish tank to water plants. It's like natural fertilizer! By noonles from Savannah, GA Contest Contender!
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When I enter an amount taken from my checking account either by check or debit card I always enter the correct amount in the ledger but I round up the amount I deduct from the checking account. For example: I write a check for $6.34 and deduct $7 from the checking account. You would be amazed at how much extra money adds up in the account over a year's time. This insures a cushion so that I never overdraw the account and I am saving money without even realizing it. When the extra in the checking account gets rather high I just transfer some of the money to the savings account. Each month when the monthly statement arrives you can do a reconciliation of the account to see how much extra money you have. If you wish to use it just add it back into the account. Source: A friend told me about this years ago. By Shirl from Williamsburg, Kentucky Contest Contender!
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Saving Water When Washing Your Car Here in Central Florida, we are currently under a "Level 4" watering ban which bans people from home car washing. A fine can be imposed, as a backyard car wash job can easily use from 3-5 gallons of water. We cleaned our 2006 Honda Accord using approx. 3/4 of a gallon of water, two old soft bath towels, and maybe 45 minutes of our time. First, we cleaned out the 2 1/2 gallon garden sprayer. Then poured in 1 pint white vinegar. Next, we added 1 gallon clean tap water. Mixed everything and we were ready to go! The trick is spray a small area at a time, and after one of us wiped in circular motions, the other followed with the other towel to absorb all the moisture remaining. We cleaned from top to bottom, well actually, as I am 5 feet tall, my husband did the entire roof! But, we cleaned windows and the whole car body. I contemplated adding a squirt of dish washing liquid to make the solution "wetter" but chose not too as I didn't know if it would require more rinsing. The plain white vinegar and water solution worked beautifully. We did not do the wheels and tires but perhaps we will include them next time. We did not use all the solution we had made. We did not "hose off" the car with either water before using our thrifty solution nor over wet each small area as we worked. By the way, our car had a hefty accumulation of road stuff on it as it had been about a month since it had been to the car wash in town. Happy thrifty car washing! By Hamnurse from Thonotosassa, FL Contest Contender!
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Think ahead for wonderful Holiday gifts. Each spring and summer, I used to go around to my friends' gardens and pick the flower petals up from the ground (do this at mid day when dew isn't on them.) Take the flowers or petals home and lay them out on newspaper on the floor and leave to dry (about 2 weeks.) Next, get as many glass gallon jugs as you can from restaurants and place a mix of different colored flowers in each. Then place different fragrance oils (essential oils) in each jar. Ideas And Recipes
By Cyinda
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Link: Find Free Activities on Vacation or at Home Vacation Stimulus Package. There is not a lot of extra money laying around to pay for a fancy vacation this year but we wanted to try and budget something for our family. Where to go, what to do? Then I was made aware of a website dedicated to showcasing free attractions. Who doesn't like FREE! This site allows you to search for free attractions by city and/or state. It also provides you with the address, telephone number and some other limited information of attractions you might be interested in. We are now in the process of planning a vacation to Washington DC (taking advantage of all the free stuff made possible by our tax dollars). In addition, we will also be taking advantage of free attractions at home this summer and as we visit friends and family. We are planning on taking a vacation this year to Washington DC, thanks to www.free-attractions.com (and if we are able to find a good hotel rate!) Source: By skibum1910 from Prospect, KY Contest Contender!
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Make Your Own Cleaning Rags from Old Clothing When my sister in law got a nice used serger, she took all of her kitchen rags and serged around them, so they had a nice edge, and doubled the thinner ones. There was always a supply to clean, and they were washed several times a week, which saved on paper towels, big time. This week end I found a nice used sewing machine for $25 dollars. I went through it and oiled everything that needed oiling, with turbine oil [the best oil for everything I've ever found] per the booklet which came with the machine; an added plus. It works like a charm. I took all my rags and doubled the ones which were similar weight and size, and zig zagged with the 2 setting so it kind of flattened out the edges of the cloth, went around the edges, leaving just a 2 inch or so unsewed portion of the last side. I trimmed any area which didn't quite fit the squares or rectangle and turned inside out. Then I top stitched with a straight stitch, about an 1/8 inch in, and closed the little gap by tucking seam allowances in to match the rest. I didn't bother to iron as I sewed, just finger pressed. The sewers out there will know what I mean. They weren't serged, but they came out nicely and now I have a little stack of nice little thin pads to use as kitchen clothes, wipes and so on. I cut up an old stained t shirt, used a worn dish towel, and assorted rags from cut up towels. For the towels I just zig zag around the edges and trimmed any straggling threads. Altogether I have about a dozen little clothes. I live with my son and grandson, and they will use rags as long as they are clean to begin with. I just keep throwing them into the wash with anything else to keep them circulating. I grew up in the Pacific Northwest and have seen the forests and trees disappear in great numbers in my lifetime. I hate to use paper towels. Source: Sister in law and numerous old ladies throughout my life, who never threw anything away. By pikka from Westminster, CO Contest Contender!
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When cleaning out the litter box for my cat, I scrub the box outside with a watering holes and water, or you can use a basin in your basement. When you clean out the box, before you put the litter in, fill a 1/4 inch around the box with baking soda and uncooked plain rice (the white kind). This helps curb the smell after a day of use by your cat(s) or your kitten(s). You will be surprise at the outcome. :O) Source: I did this on my cat Oreo and it works wonders! By Kelly from Medina, OH Contest Contender!
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Wax Your Bathroom Tiles to Keep Them Clean I have very hard water and have a lot of lime build up on my bathroom tiles. I scrub them all down vigorously with vinegar once a year and polish them with car wax. Water beads up and rolls off just like on your car. I use vinegar for so many things when I clean. Source: My Mother By Dodie from Erieville, NY Contest Contender!
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John Deer Mower Won't Stay Running I have a John Deere 1500 series lawn mower. I can get it to start but as soon as I start the blades it cuts off. Does anyone know why? I have already checked to see if there is something caught in the blades. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf74607037.tip.html
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Rate It: Permanent Marker Stains on Clothing How do I get black permanent marker off a woolen sweater? By Louiselee from Perth, WA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf151533.tip.html
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Rate It: How do you clean baked on food on a Pyrex casserole dish? How do you remove burned food from Pyrex? It is a sugary glaze that burned on to the Pyrex. By gmadrum from Turlock, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf52970492.tip.html
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Rate It: Repairing Pull String on a Power Washer How do I make my pull string engage on my power washer motor? By outlaws from Little Rock, AR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf87003722.tip.html
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Rate It: Starting a Bent N Dent Grocery Store I am opening a Dented Can store in my home town, Sylvania, GA. Please let me know who I can buy goods from in my area. Thanks, D.S. Bazemore By jabazemore from Sylvania, GA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf563433.tip.html
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Rate It: I am looking for anything, pictures, tips, how to information, for the best paint to use to paint laminate kitchen counters. Any tips are welcome. Thanks. By Cliffy from Fruitland, MD Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf999197.tip.html
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Rate It: Black and Decker Gizmo Wall Caddy When our Black and Decker Gizmo finally would no longer charge, my husband tossed the whole thing, including the wall caddy that held everything. I purchased a new Gizmo, because I was lost without it, but it did not come with the wall caddy and they are no longer available as an accessory. I've had no luck yet finding one at thrift shops or yard sales. Any other ideas? By SunshineGal from Pacific Northwest Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf24487851.tip.html
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Rate It: My husband has flooring glue and water paint on his jeans. Does anyone have any ideas on how I can get it off? Thanks. By mizz_roa01 from Melbourne, Australia Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73590804.tip.html
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Rate It: Fixed Cat No Longer Friendly With Other Cat We have 2 female cats who got along great. They would sleep together and clean each other. We just got the one fixed and now they hiss and growl every time they get near each other. Why is that? What can we do to have them friendly again? By mreilly2380 from Duluth, MN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf33567913.tip.html
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Rate It: My father-in-law owned 9 glass mugs (approx. 14 oz mugs) with the Green Bay Packers football team name and helmet on them. I don't want to sell them (they have sentimental value), but I would like to know if anyone knows who manufactured them. They have to be at least thirty years old. I know it's little information to go on, but I would like to purchase more of these for my husband. He is building a bar in the basement. His dad died six years ago and I know he and my husband were very close. Thanks you. Mews By collinsmom from NJ Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf34599198.tip.html
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Rate It: Printer Message: Not Communicating With Computer My printer is not working. Hasn't for a while, since it continuously says that there is no communication with the computer. What do I need to do to fix it? I have tried a few things to get it to work, with no luck. I miss my printer. I have photos that I need to print off and send to family members. Thanks so much from the computer genius, "not!". By Johnsgirl Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73906812.tip.html
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Rate It: I have a puppy (Poodle mix) who is almost 8 months old. I can't get her housebroken. She wees on every throw rug or full-room rug in the house. We love her to pieces, but we can't seem to get her to get the big idea that "outside" is the place to go. Can you help us? By Dr. O from East Coast, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf49574544.tip.html
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Rate It: In Need of a Snappy Business Name I need help choosing a name for a housecleaning business I want to start. I would also like to incorporate, not only housecleaning, but yard work (mowing, raking, snow removal), and errand running and companionship for the elderly. I had an idea of "Universal Home Services", but that doesn't sound very personal or catchy. Could you please suggest some ideas for names? By STOUTunicorn from Lincoln, NE Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf496730.tip.html
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Rate It: Using the H2O Mop on Laminate Floors Can you use the H2O mop on laminate floors? By Rory1 from Ontario, Canada Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf63111591.tip.html
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Rate It: Making Your Own Coffee Packets To save messing with coffee grounds while camping in our RV, I would like to make coffee pouches ahead of our trips. Then I could just place them in the coffeepot and throw away the used pouch when done. Has anyone done this? By JLEricson Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf71437910.tip.html
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Rate It: I had a recipe for homemade shower cleaner that I found on the Scrubbing Bubbles Page (which I found odd) and I lost it. It contained scented bleach, Dawn, and a couple other ingredients that I can't remember. Can anyone help me? Thanks. By Ima Tramp from Grove, OK Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf38617186.tip.html
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Rate It: Maintaining Your Air Conditioner I know an air conditioning unit needs regular servicing. The cost if over $100 and I was wondering if I could maybe clean the filters myself? By fieke from Brisbane, AU Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf37402614.tip.html
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Rate It: My husband and I have a lot of medicine bottles that I throw away. I hate throwing them away if they can be used for something else. Could someone give me some ideas on how to recycle them? By Teresa Kay from Durham, NC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf38464658.tip.html
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Rate It: Getting Dogs to Stop Marking Territory I have 2 Chinese Pugs. The father is 6 years old and the son is 3 years old. They hike and pee on almost everything at floor level. Where one goes the other goes behind him. Doors, walls, trash cans, anything they can hike on. Will getting them neutered stop this peeing on everything? I love my dogs but this is driving me crazy. By monaosb Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf20945203.tip.html
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Rate It: How do I take a sticker off a window? By N. Collins from MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf311058.tip.html
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Rate It: How do I fix a pulled out "Pull Cord" on a push mower? By s1029 from MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf282167.tip.html
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Rate It: We will be throwing my daughter a graduation party and I would like ideas on food, decorations, and entertainment for everyone. I really need help planning on food for at least 50 people. Thank you. By PennieB from Algona, WA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf555626.tip.html
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Rate It: Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping My circuit breaker keeps tripping without a load on it. I have a pool cover, a light, and sprinkler timer on the circuit. None of them run at the same time. Even if they do they still will not trip the circuit breaker. When you leave every thing off it still trips the breaker, without anything on. By twmackey from Spokane, WA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf61231405.tip.html
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Rate It: I just replaced the fly wheel and the starter on my lawn tractor. I was able to start it briefly and then it cut out. I put a new spark plug in it and a new battery with no luck. It still won't start. When I try to start it, the engine turns like it wants to start but it doesn't. Any suggestions? I don't know what the problem could be. By funnyguy50 from Rockford Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf666549.tip.html
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Rate It: Looking for a Safe Internal Flea Treatment Other than the a splash of vinegar in the dogs drinking water to deter the fleas, is there anything else that is safe and can be consumed by the pets that will also help? By sunshinewilson from SC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf76784963.tip.html
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Rate It: I just received a forward that said you can use WD-40 on dogs to keep off fleas and flies. I haven't been able to verify this. Does anyone know if it's true? I live in the country in Florida. I've tried everything to keep pests off my dogs. Obviously I can't treat 11 acres for fleas. Any suggestions? By ew954 Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf36406138.tip.html
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Rate It: Removing Oil Film from Furniture What will remove coconut oil film from furniture ? By Steve-0 from Oxford, AL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf31175288.tip.html
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Rate It: Has anyone used the Swivel Sweeper G2 that you see on TV ? Has anyone had any problems ordering the sweeper? I am also wondering about how much the shipping charges are. Thanks for your info. By JSRS443 from Texas Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf75513245.tip.html
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Rate It: Locating Someone in Puerto Rico I need to find somebody in Puerto Rico. By gladys77 Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf90030307.tip.html
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Rate It: Advice for a First Time Home Buyer I live in the Iowa City area housing market. I am a single mother of two boys. Thanks to my remarkable storage techniques, we have successfully lived in a two bedroom apartment for the last 8 years. However, the oldest is now 14 and the youngest is 11 and we (I) cannot do this anymore. I have a small down payment of about 5K saved aside and have been looking at buying, but most of what I find in our area seems so overpriced for what it is. The average price is 125-135K for a small 3BR condo or zero-lot (if you are lucky to find a zero-lot in that price range in the right school district area). I have no one (like a male friend) to help me look at these properties. I hate to have the guys from work come help me, because most of them live near our work over 30 minutes away. I feel like I don't know what will be a good buy. I don't know what to look for. I know the tax rebate of 8K is a nice incentive to buy, but is it really a good time to buy? Should I just find a nice 3BR rental and rent for a while more? All the condo values of the places I have been looking at scare me. They have either been flat for the last few years or they have dropped in value. I am almost afraid to buy. I need advice. By thriftyengineer from Iowa City, IA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22448120.tip.html
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If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish. More Information:
Pets for Less: Save on Your Best Friend
It's that time of year again. Time to take our old friend, a mutt whom we adopted at the pound twelve years ago, to the vet. He'll be excited until he gets there, but when it's over he'll happily leave with a treat and new vaccination tag. For me, however, the pain of the shots lingers a bit longer.
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