Daily Thrifty Tips - March 28, 2006

Reunion.com Find Old High School Friends at Reunion.com

http://www.thriftyfun.com/lk/reunion.lasso

Lillie is a Tabby. We are not exactly sure, but she was a kitten when we found her. We think she is 4 1/2.

As a kitten she popped out from the wheel well of a truck in McDonald's parking lot. My boys were 2 and 4 at the time. I went in to find her owner, leaving them with Daddy to keep her from getting run over. The driver of the truck wanted nothing to do with a cat so when I came back out I was informed that we were taking her home! She's been a member of the family ever since!

She likes to attack your ankles when you walk by, sleep on the boys' top bunk and climb into the Guinea pig cage to hang out with them.

She loves olives! I kept thinking the boys were dropping them all over the floor, but come to find out she was (though it's off limits) getting on the counter after dinner to grab the leftover olives when we had them. Not until I picked one up and looked closely did I see tiny teeth marks in it! Then I knew who was the culprit!

By Leigh Ann from Farmington IL

Post Feedback: Click Here

This is a photo of my grandchildren. I had bought them fake teeth and they decided to wear them for the picture. I call them "the redneck kids" LOL

By Linda from Hollidaysburg, Pa

Post Feedback: Click Here

Diapering a baby can get expensive. So why not try cloth? Cloth Diapers can get really expensive and all the choices out there can overwhelm you. So why not save money since that is one of the reasons you decided to cloth diaper anyway, and make your own with what you have around the house. Using old clothes or sheets and towels will not only save you money but it makes the cutest diapers.

Read Full Instructions Here: Click Here

These Easter eggs are very easy to make.

All you need is:

• Heavy piece of cardboard cut in the shape of an egg
• Construction paper to cover the cardboard
• Yarn to cover the outside edges of the egg and a small piece of yarn for the hanger on the back. I used yarn that was all different colors
• Eggshells rinsed out well with HOT water and dried, color them the same way as you color regular easter eggs, with boiling water, vinegar, and food coloring (brown eggs work well too). After coloring make sure to let them dry well

Start by cutting out your cardboard in the shape of an egg. Cover with a piece of construction paper. You could use hot glue or elmer's. If you use elmer's you have to let it dry before you glue on your eggshells. Then hot glue on the yarn around the outside of the egg. You have to do a little at a time because the glue dries so quickly. Hot glue on the small piece of yarn to the back of your egg for the hanger.

Then you can make a design on the front of your egg. Smear a little elmer's glue on the front of your egg and glue on the eggshells. You don't have to cover the egg entirely with the shells. Make sure to let some spaces in between the eggshells so it looks like mosaic tile.

If you want to keep some eggshells white it might be a good idea to boil your eggshells so you don't get sick.

Start saving your eggshells now so you can make these before Easter!

By luv2craft from Normalville, Pennsylvania

Post Feedback: Click Here

When doing the laundry, I put my sheet sets inside one of the pillow cases that go with that set. When going through the linen closet all I have to do is grab the set I want and it's all together in the pillow case. No more wondering where that other sheet or pillow case is.

By Fara from Wareham MA

Post Feedback: Click Here

I made my own baking soda deodorizer for the refrigerator, after finding difficulty "refilling" the one they sell (with the fabric vents.) I took a small pringles can (1 3/4 oz) and discarded the lid. I filled it with one cup of baking soda (from the bulk food department) And covered it with the toe of an old knee-high stocking. I reinforced it with a rubber band on top. You can easily decorate the paper cover, or hide it in the back of the fridge/freezer. Just change every 3-4 months and reuse the container.

By Kelly from Willamina, OR

Post Feedback: Click Here

I am always looking for pads to write notes but find the 3-by-5-inch pads from the office-supply store to be too pricey. I am finding that I generate considerable pieces of 8-by-10 papers from my printer. One side is blank, so I cut them into four pieces and staple them together. Now I have pads strategically placed around the house, always within reach, at no cost. It is a good thing to use something that normally I would have trashed!

By Bobbie from Rockwall, TX

Post Feedback: Click Here

Don't think of thrift shops for just utilitarian items. It's amazing, but you can often get higher-end consumer/fashion items, like fancy place mats and linens, decorative pillows, candleholders and fancy drink glasses, framed art and much more, all of the things I admire in gift shops, but find too expensive. So when I find them in a thrift shop, I snap them up. And when I use them, no one has to know where they came from, unless I want them to know.

By Pam from L.A., CA

Post Feedback: Click Here

In planning a firefighter wedding here are some ideas: centerpieces uses yellow and black rain boots filled with flowers or balloons. Have your ring bearer dress as a firefighter carrying a helmet instead of a pillow. Use tiny fire trucks for table assignment and number the trucks. State you are assigned to engine #_.

By Tracey from Philadelphia, PA

Post Feedback: Click Here

I like old-fashioned tissue paper festoons (garlands), which I used for my wedding, but I supplemented them with angel figurines and decorative ribbon to spiff them up and make them look less out-of-the-box.

By Pam from L.A., CA

Post Feedback: Click Here

Just today after about 45 years of crocheting! I was at the end of a row and was starting to pull the yarn up so it wouldn't easily pull out until I got back to working on my pineapple afghan that I was making; I saw my "clover" plastic safety pin that I use to mark stitches when knitting; and, I decided to put that on the last stitch I was working on and pulled the yarn down instead of up and it held fast and didn't go through the hole and kept my place with out unraveling a few stitches as it has sometimes when someone other than myself moved the item. I thought this was the neatest thing. I plan to tell my daughter whom I taught to crochet many years ago.

By Sheila S from Leominster, MA

Post Feedback: Click Here

So you'd like to get a dog, but you're not sure what kind. Purebred? Mutt? There are certain advantages to owning a mixed-breed dog, believe it or not.

1. Mixed-breeds are often healthier. With purebreds, there are certain health problems that are particular to the breed. Mixed-breeds may develop those health problems, but they may escape them thanks to their mixed heritage. Some purebreds have health problems simply due to certain exaggerated breed traits -- like short faced dogs with bulging eyes tend to have eyes pop out! A mixed breed may be less likely to experience something like that.

2. Mixed-breeds can live longer than purebreds. A healthier dog can live longer than a dog that is predisposed to major health issues. Genetic issues that are caused by recessive genes may not show up in a cross-breed thanks to other dominant genes from the parents.

3. Mixed-breeds often have the best qualities of each parent breed. Look at the popularity of labradoodles -- the personality of a Labrador and the low-shed coat of a Poodle.

4. A shelter pet will cost less than a purebred pet. Purebred puppies can cost several hundred dollars from a reputable breeder! A shelter pet may come with an adoption fee of a hundred dollars -- AND a coupon for a free neutering.

5. A shelter pet often knows that you saved them, and will be all the more loving and loyal -- and rewarding for you!

As I write this, one of my mutts (a Boxer mix) has just settled down at my side. She has some of the best qualities of Boxers in her -- the playful energy, the loyalty, the intelligence. Looks wise, she has the unmistakable Boxer underbite and the slender Boxer build, but her coloring and other features are all about her other half -- Shar-Pei. She has a lot of loose skin on the neck, and her forehead crinkles up so cutely -- it makes her look like she's thinking really hard.

Shar-Peis are known for being a little standoffish to strangers, but in my pup, the aloofness is countered by the Boxer friendliness to give her a great, loving temperament!

By Catherine Forman

Post Feedback: Click Here

I have found a web site where you can create custom, printable greeting cards. You can even include a personal message for the inside of your card.

Go to:

http://www.dltk-cards.com/cards/index.html

By Marnita from Cumming GA

Post Feedback: Click Here

Submit Your Tips and Photos!

Tip Contest!

To enter, visit: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_contest.ldml

Photo Contest!

To enter, visit: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_photocontest.ldml

Contests are now weekly. We'll pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week.

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

Do you publish a newsletter? Sign up for our Tip Syndication:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/syndication.html

I'm trying to plan something for my daughter who will be 6 on April 9th. She is in Kindergarten and I would like to invite some kids from her school to do something on a shoe string. Everything that could go wrong has in my family the last few years and time have gotten even tougher to the point of poverty. I'm trying to spend less than nothing.

So any ideas were I could make something that you would normally have on hand or that might cost less than $20-$50 for the whole party would be greatly appreciated. I'm leaning more towards the $20! Times are pretty rough, but I don't want her to miss out on this with her friends. We live in the country and no neighbors have young children, so I'm trying to meet some of the parents and children. Any frugal fun 6th girl Birthday Party ideas would be much appreciated. I also live in a small farm house without much room. I was thinking just about cake and ice cream, but is that too cheap?

Dustmopkoski from MI

Post Feedback: Click Here

Every dishwashing liquid I buy dries my hands right out. I would like to try and make my own. Any good homemade recipes for dish soap out there? Environmentally friendly would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Susie from Barrie, Ontario

Post Feedback: Click Here

I left a facial tissue in the wash. What a mess! How do I get this off the "drip drys"?

Post Feedback: Click Here

My wooden floors upstairs have suddenly gotten very slippery (even I've had a fall!) I've tried cleaning with soap liquid in warm water and just water on its own - but no luck! Any ideas?

Sue from UK

Post Feedback: Click Here

We were recently invited to the President of our company's 2nd wedding. It will be a really elegant, classy, and elite event. I am looking for wedding gift ideas for the couple. They are both in their 40s. I don't have a budget in mind because I haven't a clue what to buy these class of individuals. Any ideas?

Julie from Central, ND

Post Feedback: Click Here

I would like to use up those little bits of bar soap that seem to get left behind. I have think that there must be a way to re-melt them and use them up.

AA from British Columbia

Post Feedback: Click Here

Whenever I clean my counters with anything like Windex, dishsoap and water, lysol, etc. afterwards my counters smell like a dirty, mildewy river. Also, the same happens with the dishwasher. Sometimes when I take the dishes out, they smell like a dirty mildewy river. I get so frusterated, even when I hand wash dishes and let them air dry, they smells like dirty mildewy river.

I thought maybe it's the water down here, but just using lysol and windex makes it smell too? How can I get rid of this. Where does it come from? I have gotten to the point where I am sepnding tons of money on paper products instead of using all my new dishes from my bridal shower. It's a brand new house I live in. New counters, new dish washer. I just don't understand. Any advice will be grateful!

Sandra from Wesley Chapel, FL

Post Feedback: Click Here

Can they be litter box trained? Do they give off strong urine odor? I would like to get some for my grand daughters, and they would have to stay at my house, so I would like to know about caring for them and cleaning up after them.

Thanks,
Cindylou

Post Feedback: Click Here

My husband saw a commercial for Natural cures that said that Lavender oil with vinegar can be used to rid the home of Lady bugs (beetles) and now the ever present Box Elder beetles. Did he hear right and if so what is the recipe?

Thanks

Pat from Waldo, WI

Post Feedback: Click Here

Does anyone have any hints on attracting eastern bluebirds to the yard? They are the prettiest birds, but are seldom seen in the area where I live.

Thanks for all replies!
P.J. from Delaware

Post Feedback: Click Here

Does anyone have a solution on getting rid of a garbage disposal smell? I have used orange peels and lemon peels. No luck! I walk through the kitchen and I smell the Garbage disposal. Please help.

Desperate in Hollister,
Dmae from Hollister, CA

Post Feedback: Click Here

My son vomitted on our leather couch. We cleaned it with leather wipes, conditioner and our steam vac inbetween the cushions on the fabric. The odor is still there the next day. Any suggestions on eliminating the odor safely from the leather?

JLL from wisconsin

Post Feedback: Click Here

Does anyone know of a Rottweiler Rescue in Honolulu, HI?

Debi from Honolulu, HI

Post Feedback: Click Here

How do I remove a Iron On Transfer from a T-Shirt?

Thank you,
Lori from Roaring River, NC

Post Feedback: Click Here

I have a soon to be 2 year old. He LOVES bumblebees. I found some plates and cups and I am making my own invitations. Can anyone think of some cute decorations or games? I would love to hear any ideas you have.

Thank you!
Ccrooker from Illinois

Post Feedback: Click Here

We are thinking of purchasing a white leather sofa but are wondering how hard it is to keep clean. Anyone have any experience with this?

Lauren from Seattle, WA

Post Feedback: Click Here

My daughter has discovered using food coloring to color her oatmeal and milk to make it more enjoyable for her to eat. My question is this, does anyone know if too much food coloring is harmful, or unhealthy to children? She likes to use it everyday, and it is now the only way I can get her to drink milk and eat oatmeal. Thank you in advance for any advice on this.

jmz2005 from illinois

Post Feedback: Click Here

I made a crab spread with cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise and imitation crab and would like to know if this can be frozen. I know that you can freeze cream cheese but not sure about something with mayonnaise in it.

Shirley from LaPorte, TX

Post Feedback: Click Here

I recently read on a web site about taking laundry tablets with you on a vacation in case you have to wash some things. They are easy to carry and cheaper than buying the little boxes offered at "washing" places, however, I cannot find laundry tablets! Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thank you,
B. Wilson from Martinsburg

Post Feedback: Click Here

I recently bought some rather expensive dark towels. Even after washing them twice, and not using fabric softener, they leave their lint on my body. Is there anything I can do to stop this?

Thank you,
Msmyssti from Cotuit, MA

Post Feedback: Click Here

Reunion.com Find Old High School Friends at Reunion.com

http://www.thriftyfun.com/lk/reunion.lasso

This is a question I hear all the time, and appropriate too as "Simple Living" is one of the top ten trends of the decade.

But what exactly is it? Do I have to move to the mountains, heat with a wood stove and grow my own vegetables?

Read More: Click Here

Do you have debts that feel hopeless? Do you neglect having a savings account because you don't have any money at the end of the month to make it even worth your while?

Read More: Click Here

Breed Description: The Chow Chow has a broad, flat skull, small triangular ears and a thick double coat suitable for harsh weather. This dog breed has a strong personality and is usually loyal to only a select few people. Two of the breed's most distinctive features are its nearly straight hind legs and its bluish-black tongue.

Read More: Click Here

Coupon Swap!
Swap coupons with other ThriftyFun.com users:

Seed Swap!
Swap seeds with other ThriftyFun.com users:

Tip Contest!
Submit a tip and enter our contest.

Submit a Request
Frugal solutions to everyday problems.

Search ThriftyFun!
Use Google technology to search ThriftyFun.