Volume Five, Number 37, February 23, 2006
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello,
We have 20 new requests today, please look them over and see if you have any advice to offer.
We are going to run our poll about new features on ThriftyFun for one more day but here are the results so far.
What new feature would you most like to see on ThriftyFun?
A better search feature (34) 31%
More RSS options (3) 3%
Home pages for users (11) 10%
HTML format newsletters (17) 16%
A craft supply swap (24) 22%
A stain guide (19) 18%
If you haven't voted yet, you can do so here:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf31116187.tip.html
Thanks for reading,
Susan
Tip Contest!
http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_contest.ldml
Photo Contest!
http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_photocontest.ldml
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
| Holiday Veggie or Fruit Tree
This veggie tree is a "hit" of the party; use any type of vegetable or fruit you want to use with your favorite dip. The veggie tree can be used at any type of party; change the decoration on the tray to reflect holiday or occasion. This one was for Christmas.
- 1 styrofoam cone
- Fruit or veggies of your choice (apples are especially good; alternate green and red apple slices for holiday)
- toothpicks - cut in half
- Tray
- Rock Salt
- Small resin figures or figurines
For the veggie tree - wrap styrofoam cone with curly lettuce; insert 1/2 toothpick into the veggie to place on the cone; start at the bottom; layer veggies cut to size if applicable (cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, radishes, broccoli florets, cauliflower florets, carrots,etc.); use a cherry tomato at the top.
For the fruit tree - cut apple slices and soak them in lemon juice; wrap styrofoam cone with curly lettuce or kale leaves; place 1/2 toothpick into apple to stick into the cone; layer fruit from the bottom; use a piece of star fruit at the top.
To display:
Use a tray with a side on it; layer with rock salt; place "decorated" cone in the center; decorate with resin figurines and figures; you can use small pine boughs, holly leaves to decorate tray; on one side, place a small bowl to hold dip; on the other side a small toothpick holder to hold toothpicks. A small votive candle could be placed on the display if the tray is large enough.
Dips for veggie tree could be bottled salad dressing or homemade; fruit dips can be bought at the grocery store or homemade.
It is a conversation piece plus a healthy snack for holiday enjoyment.
By WandaJo from Tennessee
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| Chloe (Basset Hound)
Chloe is a 5 year old Basset Hound. I got her when she was 18 months old.
She likes to eat, sleep, and get belly rubs. She's the best cuddlin' dog ever!
By Suzeekyu from Warrensburg, NY
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| Sweetest Valentine Gift
This is the sweetest Valentine gift I have ever recieved. It was from my grandaughter Sammie Marie.
By Betty from Fond du Lac, WI
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Today's Tips
| Gift Wrapping Ideas
When wrapping gifts, for whatever event or occasion, instead of using a obvious gift bow, think of using something else, that would be more useful to the recipient, such as a pretty doily, a pretty scarf, or maybe a decorative ornate ring to go around a candle.
The possibilities are endless on what you could use. For Christmas, you could use a seasonal cookie cutter or a lightweight Christmas ornament. On a man's gift, you could use a key ring of his favorite team, etc.
By Terri from NV
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| Register at Baby Sites
One of the Best Money Saving Tips I've found for new mothers is to go onto the baby sites and register. They have sent me tons vouchers for up to $5.50 off formula and also full sized cans of formula. Lots of coupons, sippy cups, bowls, samples of baby creams, shampoos, free picture vouchers and coupons, etc. and I've even been able to enter sweeps and contests through these sites.
Anything I get that I can't use I always give it to others who need it. Just Remember When You Bless You Get Blessed.
By Veronica1 from Lodi, CA
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| Crocheting Warm Blankets
I love to have thick, warm blankets in the winter, but they are often expensive. So what I did was to have a friend teach me to crochet. At first I could only pick up the single stitch and then learned more a little at a time. I get most of my yarn in bulk at wal-mart at Christmas time when they have the bins of huge yarns for sale. I also go to garage sales and find yarn, often by asking if they have any for sale. I make blankets all summer long and then I have winter blankets and i even give them as gifts to my family. They love them more than the store bought. Plus they will always have a handmade gift from the heart from me.
By Veronica1 from Lodi, CA
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| Vinegar to Remove Shampoo Build Up
Use vinegar and water to wash out residue from conditioner or shampoo build up. Rinse then wash with favorite shampoo makes hair feel great and gives your hair a boost of volume.
By stardaze from Buffalo NY
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| Covering Unremovable Spots
Have you got bleach spots or grease spots on a favorite shirt or slacks? Instead of getting rid of them, for that reason. Sew on a pretty applique over the spot, no one will ever know what's underneath, unless you tell them. Check out the local sewing department of your favorite store for the appliques. I did this with some lady bug appliques, on a pretty flowered embroidered denim shirt, I have had lots of compliments. They didn't know the lady bugs weren't already part of the shirt when I purchased it!
By Terri from NV
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| Jane's Favorite Homemade Glass Cleaner
I have the best glass cleaner recipe ever! I've been using this for over 10 years! You can also put it in your window washer container in your car. No streaks!
Mix equal parts in an empty squirt bottle.
Rubbing alcohol
Ammonia
Water
By Jane Matlock from Anaheim, California
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View Active Topics!
New Requests
| Getting Rid of Small Black Ants
Please help me get rid of very small black ants. I have sprayed everything I can think of and have had professional folks try. The ants are still there. Warm weather is coming and I need help!
Jerryno1 from Yorktown, VA
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| Stocking a New Freezer
How do I properly stock a new freezer for convenience?
Thanks,
Larry from Granite Falls NC
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| Wax Poured Down the Drain
One of our kids did a NO-NO and was playing around with a candle. The "excess" wax was poured down the bathroom drain. ARGH! The house is a rental, pipes are 70's vintage PVC. What can I do to remove the wax?
HELP!
Aardvark from VA
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| Removing Algae from the Side of a House
I will be putting my home up for sale. There's an oak tree that has grown and doesn't let the light filter through on one corner of the house and there has become a green like as algae on the house. I need a thrifty hint on how to get rid of the algae-like stuff. Please keep in mind that I am disabled.
Big thanks,
Jim from Port Richey, FL
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| Recipes Using Corn Tortillas
I have leftover corn tortillas in a bag. What can I do with them? The recipe called for 6, although I purchased the smallest bag available, I still have quite a few sitting in the bag on the kitchen counter.
Holly from Dallas, TX
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| Cleaning Italian Leather Furniture
I desperately need help trying to get my furniture cleaned. I have Italian Leather which is similar to suede and I have spoken with several cleaning companies and no one is sure how to clean it and the company ELRAN states for me to contact a professional. Is there anyone out there that can give a clue on what to do or who to contact to clean my furniture?
Cheryl from Illinois
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| Fun Food Knitting Patterns
Does anyone know where I can get knitting patterns for fun food for the children? Some examples: sandwiches, cookies, cakes, etc. I would be so grateful if anyone can help.
Natalie from Sussex England
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| Locating Ingredients for Laundry Soap
I am trying the recipe posted for laundry detergent. I cannot find the Fels Naptha Soap or the Washing Soda in our small town. Any help in locating those items? I searched Walmart's website and could not find it listed with them. Also where can the essential oils be purchased? Can another soap be substituted for the Fels Naptha? Where can I get the essential oils? Please someone respond asap.
Sincerely,
Nelwyn from Bunkie, LA
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| Cleaning Grease Off Kitchen Cabinets
I'm trying to clean the grease off my wooden kitchen cabinets, what can i use that won't harm the wood.
Joe from Pittsburgh
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| Are Dog Bones Made for Teeth Cleaning Safe?
Just a simple query: I've been feeding my dog bones especially created for cleaning their teeth. Though I haven't asked my vet, I'm wondering if there is any reason not to feed him these sorts of bones? He seems to enjoy them a lot. Any ideas as to why would it likely be bad for him?
Dorothea from Hunedoara, Romania
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| How Can I Join a Cash and Carry?
Is there any way a member of the public (me) who is not in retail trade can join a "cash and carry" outlet to obtain a card to purchase in bulk and take advantage of reduce prices offered to traders? Bit of a cheek I know... but hey! My nearest city is Glasgow, UK and Im currently researching where these trade outlets are. Any advice would be appreciated.
katrina537 from Scotland, UK
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| Creating Recipes From What You Already Have
I am looking for a website that I had seen a while ago. It comes up with recipes by asking what is in your fridge and what is in your cupboard. Does anyone know the name of this site or one similiar? I really need help coming up with meals from what I have.
Thanks.
Michele from Syracuse, NY
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| Cheap Universal Studios Tickets
I need to find cheap tickets to Universal Studios in Florida. Or does anyone have any other ideas to do with kids in Florida other than the pricey amusement type parks?
Jill from Shavertown, PA
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| Plexiglass Cleaner
I have a desk lamp that has plexiglass. What is the best cleaning method to get the sparkle back to brighten the light?
Gaab Family from USA
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| Cleaning a Prom Dress
How can you clean prom dresses without having to pay for professional dry cleaning? If you wash, then can you iron them with a low temperature?
Carolb from Fairview, TN
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| Frost Free Freezer Has Frost In It
Why is my frost free freezer getting frost inside it? Is my freezer/fridge going out? My fridge is about 10 years old. I was thinking maybe the seal isn't sealing correctly. We have already replaced the seal around the fridge which was $70.00 to replace. Should I get a new refridgerator? I don't know what I should do. Any suggestions would help.
Thanks in advance.
luv2craft from Normalville, Pennsylvania
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| Removing Stickers from Delicate Clothing
My daughter left a name tag sticker on a brand new black blouse. I washed it but did not dry it and realized that the sticker was there. How do I get the sticker off now. I have kept it wet and I don't want to pick at it because it is a delicate top and it causes peeling of the fabric if I do so. Please help to save the top.
Karyn from Orange Park, FL
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| Making Logs out of Paper
I have been looking for a way to convert junk mail, paper, cardboard, etc. into fuel for my open fire. Having discovered the "paper log / brick makers" on ebay and through other searches and finding them too expensive for my meager income, I wonder if there is an effective way to do this by hand.
The beastie I refer to compresses presoaked waste to squeeze out moisture and turn the paper into a "log" which apparently will burn for up to an hour. If there is a simple way to make a device and I mean simple as this girlie is not much good at DIY (lack of tools and skill). I would love to hear it as I have so far not found any info on the 'net.
Katrina537 from Scotland, UK
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| Stain Remover for a Satin Wedding Dress
How do you spot clean a satin wedding dress? The spots are light dirt. I didn't want to leave water spots or circles.
Carolb from Fairview, TN
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| Preserving Fresh Cut Roses
Does anyone know how to keep a fresh cut rose from dying? I have many dry flowers that I've kept from different occasions and such but I wondered if there is a way to keep it in its natural beauty, open before it dies? I know there is something you can buy and dip the rose into but I wondered if anyone has tried anything that works.
Thank you,
Yvonne from Ontario
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More Reading
| 50 Plus Joke Lists
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When to Harvest Your Vegetables
By Ellen BrownYou're growing your own vegetables and you can't wait to pick them. Well, you probably need to wait. But for how long? When will that tomato be ready? How about the cucumbers? How can you tell when carrots are ready to be harvested? How exactly do you pick leaf lettuce?
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