Volume Five, Number 76, April 20, 2006
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello,
Praise for the New Bookmarking Feature
I am just tickled pink that a bookmark page has been added. So many times I've wanted to find something I liked and had to go through pages and pages to find it or never found it again. Kudos to susan and all the ThriftyFun crew.
By imaqt1962 from Illinois
Thank you imaqt1962, we are glad you like it. It has been requested by a lot of people so we are glad that we finally found time to add it. We hope to add more useful account tools in the coming months.
There has been some confusion about whether receiving our newsletter means you are registered. Unfortunately, they are separate systems. Just because you receive this newsletter doesn't mean you have a login for the website. You can get a login for the website by registering at the link below. And that will allow you to take advantage of the new bookmarking and rating features.
Register at ThriftyFun.com
http://www.thriftyfun.com/register.ldml
Here are ther results to yesterday's poll:
Do you make any freezer meals?
Yes (76) 52%
No (69) 48%
Here is our new poll:
Are you a stay at home mom (or dad)?
Post Your Answer:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf99509848.tip.html
Thanks for reading,
Susan
Tip Contest!
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Photo Contest!
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Frugal solutions to everyday problems: Submit a request...
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Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Photos:
Today's Tips:
New Requests:
More Reading:
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Today's Photos
| Christian and Movado
I have 2 cats Christian and Movado! Christian is a 9 month old tabby and he is the most affectionate cat I've ever met! I got him at 8 weeks, so I pretty much got to mold him. I adopted my other cat Movado a month later when he was 4 mos. old. He was so shy and didn't enjoy being pet or held at all. He is now 10 mos. and has come around a lot! I wasn't sure if he ever would, but he has. It's good to know that "good things come to those who wait!"
Christmas was their absolute favorite holiday. They got to climb the tree and steal all the ornaments! I'm still finding them hidden in places :)
By Leah from Boston, MA
Previous postings about these cats:
Christian
Movado
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| Annie the Colt
Annie is 1 month old. She belongs to our neighbor who breeds horses. I visit her every day and named her Annie.
She enjoys seeing me every day. When I visit her she comes to me and wants to be pet and kissed.
By Marissa from New Hampton, Ny
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Dog Bone Picture Frame
By Kelli MahoneyThis is a fun photo frame to display your dog's picture, but keep it out of reach of any canine companion. My dogs have a liking for this frame, and I have caught them on occasion coveting the bones on the front. Still, it is a lot of fun to give as gifts to your fellow dog lovers, plus you can give your dog a treat while you are making it!
View Photo and Instructions: Click Here
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| Planting Flowers in Pots
In order to make your flowers look beautiful in pots, put a bunch of the same flowers in the same pot and they will flourish!
By Dan from Cincinnati, OH
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Today's Tips
| My Frugal Life - Cooking For One
I am a 63 year old female, and I eat on an $80.00 a month food allowance. I have high blood pressure and high cholesterol, so I have to watch what I eat. I have found cooking for one is very hard and to avoid any waste, I purchased containers from the dollar store. When I make a casserole, pot of stew, beans, soup or anything that I have leftovers from, I make meal sized portions from the leftovers and freeze them. When I don't feel well or just don't want to cook that day I use them as you would a frozen TV dinner.
I also use a lot of the vegetables I have leftover to make the soups with. Just freeze the portions you have leftover until you have enough, take it all and make a wonderful pot of soup with it.
I also freeze spaghetti sauce, and when I get the urge for that italian taste, I use it with either vermicelli, or macaroni, and make a casserole topped with cheese and have an entirely new tasting meal.
By freezing leftover corn bread, packaged bread, rolls or biscuits, I can make my own croutons, bread crumbs, corn bread stuffing, and puddings from the biscuits and bread. You can freeze all breads and use them as needed in place of many products you would have bought at a much higher price at the store, and they are both fresher and taste better.
I hope this will help someone who lives as I do, alone and on a very small food allowance. I have many more ways to save money on your food bill and ways to use almost all the food you have leftover. If you would like more ideas, please feel free to contact me and I would be happy to share them with you.
By Mary Meadows from Spiro, OK (aka: chydel3)
Do you have a frugal story to share with the ThriftyFun community? Submit your essay here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_myfrugallife.ldml
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| Serving Wine
Uncork red wine an hour before drinking so it can breathe and rise to room temperature. Chill white wine and open right before you are ready to drink it. If you have leftover wine, put the cork back in the bottle, it will keep for a few days.
By ThriftyFun
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| Shinier Fur for Pets
If you want your pets have a shiny fur, follow my remedy. Apply coconut milk on your pets fur and leave it on for about 30 minutes. Then, bathe your pet as usual. Do this before every bath.
By Amira from Selangor, Malaysia
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| Saving Money on Video Games
Don't buy games as soon as they come out. A year later you can often find games for half their original price. Even if you only wait a few weeks you can find the hot games in the used market at local stores or on eBay.
By ThriftyFun
Feel free to post your ideas.
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| Buying Old Technology - Music and Video
Using the old technology can be thrifty. Now video tapes and audio tapes are available cheaply in thrift and bargain stores. And since I don't watch them over and over, it's much less expensive than Cds/DVDs. I collect cheap classical music tapes for playing in the car at 25 cents apiece, I can splurge.
By Pam from L.A., CA
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| Replacing Spray Nozzles
Remember that spray nozzles can be interchangeable. So, if you lose one, as so often happens, know that you can switch with another of the same size - Just wash them out thoroughly between switching from one to the other. (You might also want to save old spray mechanisms for spray bottles of cleaner, etc. - as the trigger sprays have a tendency to wear out after a while.)
By Pam from L.A., CA
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| Tips for Organizing Jewelry
Need a way to store earrings in your jewelry drawer but don't want to pay the high price they ask for the earring trays? Do what I did: I bought (3 for $1.00 at the dollar store) stacking ice cube trays. For only $1.00, I got enough storage for 36 pairs of earrings (even more pairs actually since you can put 2 or 3 smaller-size pairs in each cube if you want) for a lot less than the $10 or $15 they want for the earring tray that only holds about 8 pairs! (The few pairs of earrings I have that stick up a ways out of the cube I put in the top tray.)
By Lynn from Calif. from Chico, CA
Read more tips below.
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| Rusty Nails for African Violets
I just read that putting rusty nails in the soil of your African violets will help them bloom beautifully - so I just put some in. Wish me luck.
By Pam from L.A., CA
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| Testing Seeds for the Garden
To test seeds you intend to sow: Put about 6 into a wet paper towel, and place it in a plastic baggie. Keep it in a warm area, and in about 5 days it should have a sprout on it. This is a great way to check the germination rate.
By Barb Allsopp from Summerhill, PA
Read more tips below.
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View Active Topics!
New Requests
| How Long Does Spaghetti Sauce Keep Once Opened?
Once a jar of tomato/spaghetti sauce has been opened, how long will it keep in the refrigerator?
Thanks!
Maryeileen from Brooklyn, OH
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| Permanent Marker on Jeans
My son has a pair of toddler jeans that he got black permanent (Sharpie) marker on, and I've tried using rubbing alcohol and hairspray to get it out, but no luck! I just can't stand to throw these jeans out (I'm way too thrifty, or maybe just plain cheap! LOL), but the marks are very noticeable. Any suggestions on something that might work, or is it a lost cause?
Thanks for your help!
Evan's "mama" from Kenosha, WI
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| Packing Light When Traveling
What are your recommendations for packing "light" when traveling? I always over-pack because I hate to get to my destination and be short of clothes and other items. I'd always rather have more than what I need than not enough. Any recommendations?
Thanks!
Peggygv from San Antonio, TX
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| Washing Your Bathing Suit
Any ideas on how to keep your bathing suit top (bra cups) to stay in shape after washing?
Peggygv from San Antonio, TX
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| Action Supermarket's Double Smoke Sprinkle
This is for Australians out there. Does anyone know how to make the double smoke sprinkle used by Action supermarkets? It rocks!
Cathy from Townsville
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| Renovating a Home on a Tight Budget
I have just bought a run down house which I plan to renovate. I am doing this on a very tight budget, and wanted to know if anyone has a product recommendations or tips from doing their renovation. For example, I need to re-clad, and want to know if there is anything which is cheap and easy to put it up ourselves?
Katvn from Vic, Australia
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| Shitzu Breathing Problems
I know a lot of you ThriftyFunFans have Shitzu's. We have two... One of ours makes this funny noise like he can't breath from time to time. We just try to get him to calm down and it eventually goes away. Does anybody know why they do that? I've heard several theories from allergies, heart problems, etc.
Thanks,
Peggygv from San Antonio, TX
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| Dachshund/Pomeranian Mix Photos
I have a Daschund, she is 2 and has had one litter and is going to have a second May 22nd. I bred her with a Pom and was woundering if anyone has any info on how they will look or any pictures. I have tred to find some photos online but haven't had any luck. I don't think it's very popular mix.
Thanks,
Blakeylou2
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| Doing Medical Transcription From Home
I am interested in doing Medical Transcriptionist work using the Olympus AS 2300 at-home system. I am looking into doing this (starting out) on a part-time basis. I have done this type of work for companies in the past. I will keep my full-time job and do this on the side. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Sonandem from Virginia
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| Using Mason Jars as Centerpieces
Anyone have any creative ideas on how to use mason jars as centerpieces at my reception? They are blue perfect mason jars. I was thinking a bouquet with floralytes.
Jenny from Belle Plaine, MN
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| Painting Plastic Patio Chairs
I have green plastic patio chairs that are faded. What kind of paint can I use to refresh them?
Arcy from Bloomer, WI
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| Caring for Orchids
I just got an Orchid as a gift. I do not know how to care for them. Water? Light? Food?
HELP! Thanks very much.
Robyn from Kent, WA
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| Tips for Using a Candle Warmer
I like to use yankee candles but some of them are either very strong, or don't have much of a scent at all. i would like something that has a nice smell, that I could use on my candlewarmer and leave on all day. Some get too strong smelling, and I can only stand them for a short time. Others don't have enough of a fragrance. Does anyone have any suggestions on what frangrances might be good to try? I have purchased some, and wind up throwing them out. They are too expensive to waste. Thanks for any and all replies.
P.J. from Delaware
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| Making Your Hair To Grow Faster
Any ideas on sure fire ways to get your hair to grow fast? I think brushing it stimulates the scalp and helps some... any other ideas?
Thanks,
Peggygv from San Antonio, TX
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| Popsicle Stick Lamp Instructions
If anyone out there has instructions for a popsicle stick lamp, it would be the great. I made one when I was a teenager, and I would like to make one with my children, I have looked everywhere. Any help anyone could give me or any direction to point me in would be great.
JanetReynolds from Orillia, Ontario, Canada
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| Will Lilac Bushes Deter Deer?
We enjoy having deer come into our backyard from the woods. If I planted a lilac bush, would it deter the deer from coming? Or do deer just not feed on lilac bushes?
Hardiness Zone: 6a
Sandy from Alton, IL
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Looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem? Submit
your request here: Click Here
More Reading
Breed Information: Australian Cattle Dog
By Ellen BrownBreed Description: The Australian Cattle Dog is a sturdy, compact breed, with great agility, strength and endurance. This breed excels at driving cattle and shows the same sense of duty and courage when protecting its family.
Read More: Click Here | Stop Inappropriate Chewing!
By Catherine FormanThis may have happened to you: you come home from a long day at work or a short trip to the store to find that your precious dog has demolished your favorite new shoes! I can still remember the day it happened to me. I had just gotten the cutest pair of flip-flops with a bamboo foot bed. They barely lasted a week before the bamboo was bam! Gone.
Read More: Click Here | Breed Information: Australian Shepherd
By Ellen BrownBreed Description: The Australian Shepherd is an attractive, long-haired breed with a bobtail and a striking coat that varies remarkably in color. This breed is built slightly longer than tall, is fast and agile and possesses great endurance and herding instincts.
Read More: Click Here | A Happy Home For Your Guinea Pig
By Caterine FormanLike ferrets, guinea pigs are happier in groups. But choose your guinea pigs carefully! More than two males together may result in some fighting. Two females together are usually safe... and if you're housing one of each, watch out for baby piggies!
Read More: Click Here | 5 Things To Do With Jelly Beans
By Angela BillingsEaster is over and you probably have lots of jelly beans left and the kids are already tired of eating them. I hope you can use these ideas for using up your bounty of jelly beans.
Read More: Click Here |
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