Daily Thrifty Tips - June 24, 2009

Here are the winners for the contest that ran June 6th to June 12th. Winners are picked by the ThriftyFun community using the "thumbs up" feature. Congratulations to the winners!

Pet Contest Winner

Ghost (German Shepherd/Siberian Husky)
By msjlittle82 from Front Royal, VA

Photo Contest Winner

Using Every Bit of Laundry Detergent
By Carol from Hartselle, AL

Recipe Contest Winner

Frugal "Nameless" Dinner
Amuck from Fairview Heights, IL

Tip Contest Winners

Keep Lemon Wedges in the Freezer
By Laura from PA

Donate Your Crafting Supplies in Your Will
By Cricketnc from Parkton, NC

Thank you to everyone that took time to share something. You can view the complete results here:

http://www.thriftyfun.com/contest.ldml?contest=14038

Please take a moment to give a "thumbs up" to tips and photos that you like in this newsletter.

Thanks for reading,

The ThriftyFun Team

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Crafting for Fun and Money!

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.

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Recycled Kitchen Utensil Holder

I used Juicy Juice cans to hold my kitchen utensils. I put them in a wire basket that I found for 50 cents, added the magnets and, bingo, a multipurpose rack. You can decorate the cans any way you want, screw them into wall or leave on the counter. I always find ways to create more space.

By moonseekerjade from Onset, MA

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Sharing Plants and Cuttings

All of these plants (except 3) were donated to me by a fellow Thrifty Fun member. Last week I posted a question about inexpensive plants, and she contacted me and offered to share hers. All of these were taken directly from her grounds. They are doing great and are a fabulous starting point for me!

Thank you so much Myrna!

By tjest from Loveland, OH

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Panny (Jack Russell/Beagle mix)

Panny (Jack Russell/Beagle mix) is a 2 year old Jack Russell/beagle mix. We adopted her from the humane society a year and a half ago.

She likes to disembowel stuffed toys and run laps. She also likes to lick feet and watch Animal Planet. She won the Savannah Small Dawg races last summer.

By noonles from Savannah, GA

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• Tip Contest
  Submit a Tip or Recipe!

• Photo Contest
  Submit a tip with photo!

These contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25!

• My Frugal Life
  Submit a My Frugal Life Essay!

Thrifty Aquarium Tips

As an avid aquarium hobbyist, I am always trying to find ways to save money while making a great home for my fish. I have several tips that I would love to use here:

1. Buy aquarium tubing in bulk. It is always worth it to get the 25 feet, even when you don't think you will need it. For example, if you have a tank on an aquarium stand and are running a pump, under gravel filter, or aerating decor into the tank, each line will need to be 4-5 feet depending on the height of the aquarium.

2. You are never too good to find a great deal through Wal-Mart. Believe it or not, they actually have great supplies there. The aforementioned aquarium tubing is one example but other supplies such as Melafix (wide-spectrum antibacterial ointment) or Aquasafe (water decholorinator) will be much less expensive here than at PetCo or PetSmart. Gravel is a great buy here too. Also, I ordered my very first water test kit through the website and had it shipped site to store (free shipping).

3. Get a set of measuring cups/spoons instead of expensive water-testing equipment to measure out portions of medications.

4. Find a local fish store and ask for their advice as opposed to advice given at corporate chains. I have nothing against corporate chains, mind you, but employees at respectable local fish stores can give your questions and concerns their complete attention and can follow-up with sound advice.

5. Also at the local fish store is fish food sometimes sold in bulk. A one-half pound bag of fish food costing $12 is a better buy than half that amount at the same price anywhere. Keep extra fish food in the fridge.

6. Never underestimate the use of good, brand new resealable containers (i.e. Tupperware) just for the aquarium hobby. This includes small containers for storing fish food or pitchers for pouring water into the tank. NEVER use soap in ANY container that is designed for fish use only.

7. Know what you are looking for. I recently purchased a 5-gallon kit for a single molly (fish) and the cost was approximately $35. The kit came with a hood, light, filter, and some tubing. If bought piecemeal brand new, the tank would have been approximately $10; the hood would have been approximately $10; the light would have been hard to find but still would have cost around $15; the filter would have been approximately $20. In total, it would have cost $55. None of the cost is including the price of a heater, gravel, decorations, etc. Sometimes at local fish stores, kits are sold including items that would cost more than if the tank and the equipment was sold separately. There is a lot to be said for "shopping around" for the best deal, but when dealing with live animals you never want to get sub-par quality.

8. Fake plants are expensive; real plants are cheap. Fake plants can range in price from anywhere between $3-$30, depending on the size (small, medium, large, x-large) or type (plastic, silk, silk-like). In this scenario, check out PetCo or PetSmart for "betta bulbs". These bulbs were originally designed to grow in smaller tanks but will grow indefinitely if kept in the proper conditions. A 3-5 pack of bulbs costs around $3, and while there are no guarantees that any of them will grow, the company that manufactures the bulb does make an offer to replace the bulb/refund your money if the bulb does not sprout within 14 or so days. Real plants will eat nitrates and keep fish healthy. They act as a natural filter in the water and keep water conditions perfect. Plants also act as a barrier between more skittish fish and more aggressive fish.

Thank you for reading and happy aquarium keeping!

By Jenni from Lincoln, NE

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Use Old Dresser as a Computer Desk

I decided to decorate the spare bedroom in a "country" theme, but it still needs to house the family computer. I bought an old dresser with one long drawer in the center, and 3 drawers on each side, with the center open for a chair. The center drawer face was broken anyway, and my keyboard fits perfectly in there. I plan on removing the drawers from one side, to use for the CPU, with the monitor on top, and the other drawers to store paper, ink cartridges, etc.

This way, I can still have my computer area without having a modern looking desk. It can still look like it came from Grandma's.

By fatboyslimsmom from Many, LA

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Remedy for Itching Mosquito Bites

To take the itch out of mosquito bites, and make them go away within a few days - rub the bite with a small piece of cut onion a few times a day. The juice neutralizes the itch and helps heal the bite. The more often you apply, the sooner the bite disappears. Everyone who tries it is astounded!

I've heard it may work on other insect bites, but have not tried it on anything other than mosquito bites.

Source: Farmers Almanac

By Shelli from Boise, ID

Editor's Note: What are your favorite mosquito bite remedies? Post them here!

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Reuse Baby Powder Bottles For Baking Soda

Use empty baby powder bottles for baking soda. This makes it easier to sprinkle on to carpets. You can also use cornstarch which will save you money on baby powder as you can use it in place of powder, it does the same thing.

By Moonseekerjade from Onset, MA

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Repel Insect Pests with Strategic Planting

If you are bothered with pests, there is some natural remedies to repel. You can plant peppermint, spearmint, lavender or pennyroyal around the base of your house, as well as, other places. This will repel mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, mice or other rodents and keeps down spiders. It will take time for the plants to spread, but once they do, the pests can be controlled,and offers other benefits as well.

I have done this for years and it works, and makes wonderful relaxing tea. Gives a great fragrance outside when it rains.

By piwacket from Salem, MO

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Use Less Than the Recommended Laundry Detergent

I've been reading the comments from the ThriftyFun community. Many of us have had problems due to the new liquid laundry detergents, since there's been an excessive amount of soap left in the final rinse cycle.

Don't bother to follow the manufacturer's instructions since they want you to use more than what is really necessary to get your clothes clean. The faster you finish the bottle, the more you have to purchase. The detergent companies are not stupid, they want your money and want it fast.

I experimented with a number of my wash loads and have discovered for myself that 4 tablespoons equivalent to 1/4 cup of liquid laundry detergent is what you will need for one wash load, no matter if the wash load is small or large.

Repeatedly I checked the rinse cycle and there was no soap left in sight, just rinse water. Try it yourself!

By MCW from Lewiston, NY

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Mice in Car's Fan Housing

My mom has a severe problem with field mice getting into the heating/air fan housing in her car. No one else has had a problem when they visit her, but she has had to have her car in the shop at least 10 times for this in the two years that she has owned the car. The car is a Chrysler Sebring. Does anyone have any ideas on what she could use to stop them from coming in? She has outside pets and is afraid to put out any poison.

By binkylou from Wingo, KY

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Cleaning a Crock Pot

How do I clean the cooked-on residue from sausage and beans from the inside of a crock pot?

By walkbj from Plantation, FL

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Homemade Laundry Detergent Not Getting Clothes Clean

Has anyone had trouble with homemade laundry detergent? I made a batch using the recipe: 1 bar of shredded soap, 1 cup washing soda, and 1 cup borax. It called for using a tablespoon in the wash. I have been using 2 tablespoons and it does not seem to be getting my clothes clean. Does anyone have a suggestion?

By pcheflm from MA

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Split Pea Soup on a Liquid Diet

Can I have watered down, split pea soup on a liquid diet?

By eeshieking

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Flea Killing Apples

Has anyone ever heard of flea killing apples? I think they are called Bard or Crab apples, they kill bugs, mainly fleas. What are they and where would I get them? Thanks.

By okha from Orlando, FL

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Sightseeing Near Wausau, WI

My husband will be in Wausau, WI the first two weeks of August and I plan to join him for a week. I will have my own rental car and would love tips on the best gardens, dairies, parks, etc. to explore on my own while he is flying. I would like restaurant tips too! Anything within a 100 mile radius is okay, after all, I will be sightseeing!

By chickweed from Middle Peninsula, VA

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Washed Jerseys Have Lost Their Elasticity

I have washed a lot of jerseys in the washing machine. They have not shrunk, but they have lost all their elasticity and fluffiness. Is there any way I can make them wearable again? Thanks for any help.

By DarqEve from South Africa

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Getting Rid of Skunk Smell Outside

I have had a terrible skunk smell outside in my backyard for about a week now. I can't smell it in my front yard. Could a skunk possibly have died under my pool deck or something? How do I get rid of the smell?

By soccamom from Swansea, MA

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Removing Flarp Putty from the Ceiling

How do you get Flarp off of the ceiling?

By kari520 from Cape Coral, FL

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What Breed is My Dog?

We adopted a puppy from the shelter about a month ago. We are trying to figure out if she looks like a full blooded American Pit Bull Terrier or if someone thinks she might be mixed with something.

By dog_lover09 from Shamokin, PA

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Is This Marlite?

Does anyone know if this is Marlite? It is a kind of slick surface and at the seam of each panel is a thin strip of metal. Our house was built in 1925, but I have a sneaking suspicion the bathroom was updated around the 50's. I would really like to update with minimal cost. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

By ams377 from KS

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Cleaning an Armani Microfiber Bag

What is the best way to clean an Armani microfiber bag. It is authentic so I don't want to ruin it. The handle is leather, is there a special cleaner or can I use warm water and soap. Help.

By elpo666 from AU

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Killing Fleas on Furniture

What kills fleas on furniture?

By jonesgirl from TN

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House Training a Dog

I want to know how I can break my dog from going in the house. I take her outside and walk her and she will not go. As soon as I bring her inside she uses the bathroom. Help.

By cdiane from Atlanta, GA

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Using Plywood For Flooring

Has anyone had any experience with making wood flooring out of lumber or plywood? Our carpet is awful and needs to be taken out. I was just wondering if it's possible to lay lumber and then sand and stain?

By jdelmart from Crosby, TX

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Dry Erase Marker Stains on Clothing

I need help removing dry eraser marks on a tee shirt.

By Mary L from Darien Center, NY

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Cleaning an Above Ground Pool

I have an Intex pool holding 3700 gallons. All the green algae collects on the bottom in clumps when I treat it. Then, I cannot get it up without it spreading into the water again. The pool came with one of those hose attachment vacs. What can I do to finally get all the junk off the bottom? I have tried everything, shocking it, etc., including letting the filter run continuously.

By suze-e from Lake City, FL

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White Clothing Dyed Blue

I washed a blue shirt with a white shirt, and the white one came out with blue blotches. How can I get it clean?

By lhedgpeth from Seattle, WA

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Dye Transfer on Clothing

I have a mostly white shirt with some appliques that are not white. It is T-shirt fabric. I washed it with some red shorts and now the shirt is mostly pink. How can I get it white again?

By joycedeborah from Corvallis, OR

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Dog is Losing Hair

My 15 yr old mixed breed is on a low protein diet for CRF (chronic renal failure). He has started to lose large clumps of fur. What could he be missing in this diet that would cause this?

By Larryz from Scotia, NY

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How to Get Rid of Dark Circles and Puffy Eyes

Any ideas on homemade remedies for dark circles under eyes and puffy bags, besides surgery?

By romancemelikealady from Asheville, NC

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Getting Rid of Garter Snakes

We have garden snakes. I am so scared of them and have seen so many of them that by now I don't want to be nice anymore and want them killed. We already built a porch in front of the house to avoid them, but this is a sunny area and they like to be around. I got used to them in the garden, but yesterday I found one inside the porch and I am ready to move. Help anyone? I am scared to death.

Hardiness Zone: 7b

By Ravine House from Toronto, ON

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Crafting for Fun and Money!

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:
Click Here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml