Daily Thrifty Tips - October 1, 2007

Volume Six, Number 189, October 1, 2007 (Read It Online) We have information about a meat recall in the More Reading section. Here are the contest winners for the week before last. Photo Contest Winner Old Baby Gate For A Trellis By Elaine from Iowa Tip Contest Winners Use Spray Glue And Fabric To Cover Worn Upholstery By pamphyila from Los Angeles. CA Fishing Line For Frugal Toilet Fix By Marty from Houston, TX Thank you to everyone that submitted something! Do you have any Halloween tips to share? Please submit them on a contest page. Also, do you have any pictures of past Halloween costumes that you made? We would love to see those as well. Thanks for reading, Susan Send to a Friend! Share a Tip (You could win $25!) Share a Photo (You could win $25!) Have a Question? Submit a request... Link to ThriftyFun.com View Active Topics! Edit Your Subscriptions: To edit your ThriftyFun subscriptions, click the Update Profile/Email Address link at the bottom of this newsletter. Today's newsletter contains: Today's Photos: Fabric Pumpkins Denver Botanical Garden Puggles (Pug) Cousins at the Reunion Today's Tips: Wipe Down Your Car With Vinegar Collect Water In Sink When Waiting For Hot Trick Or Treat For Something Good With Unicef Go Ahead, Freeze Your Eggs Use Gift Bags For Cute Wall Art Remove Excess Grease From Pepperoni How To Get Sparkling Eyes? Give Out One Coloring Page At A Time Let Your Friends Help You Find Bargains Fold Patterns To Correct Size New Requests: Cleaning and Protecting Auto Paint from Love Bugs Pattern for Crocheted or Knitted Dog Booties Little Suzy's Zoo First Birthday Party Centerpieces Items with Meanings for Goody Bags Looking for Christmastime Charity in Missouri Recipe for Gentle Skin Toner Recipes for a Diabetic Person Refreshing Wood Veneer How to Lighten Complexion Swiffer, Shark or Swivel? Free Baby Bib Pattern With Sleeves Looking For Inexpensive Indoor Mini Lights Low Calorie High Fiber Sandwich Bread Recipe Copycat Recipe For Cinnamon Roll Oatmeal What is This Flower? Looking For a Recipe to Make Mirin Looking For Nachos Recipe Health Advice For Fatty Liver What Not to Put In Compost Pile Freezing Chicken Salad Looking For Manufacturers Stamp on Furniture Craft Ideas For Fur Fabric Spirit Team Ideas For Singing Group Wedding Reception Candle Centerpiece Ideas Substitute For Powdered Milk Recipe For Okra Cheese Rice Casserole More Reading: Ground Beef Recall Expanded Across U.S. Creating Your Craft Room Today's Sponsor: 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 Today's Photos: Fabric Pumpkins Here is a fun craft to make this fall. I made a ton of them last year, they are cheap and easy. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf20834020.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Denver Botanical Garden My daughter and her new friend! These photos were taken at the Denver Botanical Garden on 9/07 after a rain shower. By Mary Lou from Abingdon, MD Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf99434787.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Puggles (Pug) Puggles is 10 months old and a Pug, of course. My aunt's dog had a litter of puppies and Puggles was the only one left after everyone picked through them. She was 12 weeks old when I got her and we've loved her ever since. She is the best addition to our family we've ever had. She loves to run laps around the house at top speed, my 5 year old son and her chase each other around the house, play with her toys By LeAnn from Grandview Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf50208286.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Cousins at the Reunion At a family reunion, I snapped this picture of my granddaughter, Kyla and grandson, Levi, who are cousins. The contented look on Kyla's face and Levi accepting her on his shoulders, touches all of our hearts. Our son moved his family here to the United States so his small children could grow up knowing their cousins. We are so blessed. Eletha Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf43782695.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Contests: 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! Today's Tips: Wipe Down Your Car With Vinegar Here is a quick and easy way to wash the car. The other day I decided to wash my car windows, which were looking pretty smeary. I used a bowl of vinegar and water about 3 cups water and one of vinegar. When I was through, I wiped off the hood which was looking pretty dusty - and dried it and before I knew it,I cleaned the entire car. I was sure it would dry with smears, etc. but it didn't. It really looked pretty good. I have a compact car, so a larger car would probably need more water and vinegar. I was really pleased with the results - no hosing down - and only took about ten minutes. I will definitely do this again. By Joan from Chesterfield MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf50992423.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Collect Water In Sink When Waiting For Hot While waiting for hot water from your sink to get hot, place a milk jug under the faucet to collect water. Use this water to water plants, pets, etc. You'll be surprised with how much water you've collected. By MOMOF1 from WILKESBORO, NC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf25653918.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Trick Or Treat For Something Good With Unicef With Halloween just around the corner, many kids are already thinking about costumes, parties, and of course, candy! As a parent, I worry about the materialism attached to holidays, both big and small and the effect it has on our children as they grow up. This year is the first year, my son is big enough to go trick or treating, and I was worried about how to counteract the "Give me more" message that Halloween seems to present. Luckily I was able to find a way for us to go trick or treating AND do something good for others. Trick or Treat For UNICEF is a great way for kids of all ages to help other kids all around the world who need our help. You can get a free kit at: http://www.unicefusa.org/trickortreat By Tracey from Hibbing, MN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf23030493.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Go Ahead, Freeze Your Eggs Eggs, (blended) can be kept in the freezer in an airtight container for up to four months. Here are some simple tips to help you freeze your eggs properly. In the case of whole eggs, beat lightly before freezing. To freeze egg yolks, beat in either 1/8 teaspoon (0.5 mL) salt or 1 and a pinch teaspoons (7 mL) of sugar or corn syrup per cup (50 mL) egg yolks (about 4 yolks). For egg whites, you can freeze them as they are. For faster thawing and easier measuring, you can freeze eggs (after having followed the proper tips listed above) in an ice cube tray and then transfer them to a freezer container. It is important to note that although eggs can be frozen, they should not be frozen in their shell. By Cinnamon from Williams Lake, BC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf47157944.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Use Gift Bags For Cute Wall Art My son loves Roy Rogers, and I've looked at prints and posters to decorate his room with, but most are a little pricey for a momma on a budget. While I was walking through the dollar store the other day, I noticed a gift bag that just happened to have a cute, good-sized tinted photo of Roy Rogers and Trigger, ONE ON EACH SIDE. I cut them out and framed them in dollar store frames. Two framed pics for $3.00--instead of $30.00. So--look over those cheap but cute giftbags and grab your scissors! Butcher a bag! By Gina J. from Colorado Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf87878361.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Remove Excess Grease From Pepperoni When making homemade pizza, try this to have a much less fatty pepperoni. Whether it is sliced by yourself or bought that way, line the disks up on a folded paper towel in a microwave safe dish and cover with another layer of folded towel. Repeat this layering and toweling until you have the amount of pepperoni you need. Microwave it on low for 15 to 30 seconds (start out on the lower seconds to make sure it doesn't get crisp). Remove the toweling and the fat from your meat and then top your pizza ! So much better without the little pools of grease! By Veronica from Sedalia, Missouri Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf96636413.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print How To Get Sparkling Eyes? Combine 2-3 tsp. cucumber juice with 5-6 drops of Rosewater. Dip a cotton ball in this mixture and place on your eyes for 10 minutes to get rejuvenated and sparkling Eyes. By Lyon from Bangalore Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf56486435.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Give Out One Coloring Page At A Time At my son's daycare, they noticed that when they gave the kids a whole coloring book, they would color a little bit on lots of different pages, and then when someone got the book out again, they would not want to color in it because the pages were already used. The adults started taking out pages and just giving the kids the individual sheets. They focus on just one picture, and the rest of the book does not go to waste. I tried this at home with my little guy - and it works! He notices more of the details in the one picture we are working on, and the rest of the book is safe until another day. Another bonus -the pages are already taken out and ready for me to hang when he is finished coloring them! By Regina from Rochester, NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf45679813.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Let Your Friends Help You Find Bargains My best frugal tip is to not impulse buy and to let your friends know what you are looking for. I recently wanted a new piece of exercise equipment for $150. I almost purchased it that day, but instead I waited. A few weeks later a friend called and found me a used one in excellent condition for $20! By Sara from Southeast Missouri Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf54288798.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Fold Patterns To Correct Size This is for people who sew. I buy those multiple size patterns for many of my granddaughter's garments. I cut out the pattern pieces to the largest size. Then I cut across the cutting line at several places around the pattern. Then I fold the pieces to the cutting line for the appropriate size. This enables me to use the pattern for several seasons and I can also use size 6 length with a size 5 garment as she is rather tall for her age. The patterns last longer and will do for more than one child. By MartyD from Houston, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf39386318.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Friends of ThriftyFun Dear Webby's Humor Letter Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter. Webby now has a blog, read his latest newsletter as well as back issues here: http://webby.com/humor/blog/ More Information: http://webby.com/humor New Requests: Cleaning and Protecting Auto Paint from Love Bugs I live in the New Orleans area. Across the south in the spring and fall, we are plagued with little flying insects called LOVE BUGS. They are all over your car and are the biggest mess. They have a high acidity level so if not removed promptly, they can actually take off the paint. This isn't just a quick rinse-off with a hose answer, as anyone living in these areas know. My question is, has anyone found a good way to clean our cars to make sure the finish is protected? Thanks, Sandy from Kenner, LA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf84034141.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Pattern for Crocheted or Knitted Dog Booties Does anyone have a pattern for knitted or crocheted booties for a dog? Thank you Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf65548696.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Little Suzy's Zoo First Birthday Party Centerpieces I've already started planning my 7 month old baby's first birthday party. Her theme is Little Suzy's Zoo and I've pretty much got most of the party favors, goody bags and decor figured out. I'm having trouble with what I should do for the centerpieces. Something cute, thrifty, and not too hard to put together is what I'm looking for. If you have any ideas for a cute centerpiece, please let me know. Thanks. Jordyn's Mommy from Oahu, HI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf14987702.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Items with Meanings for Goody Bags Where could I find a site with different ideas about meaningful basket or goody bags? My daughter got one from her teacher one year that gum sticks that meant something, a peppermint something else. Each little thing she put in the bag had some kind of meaning. She said there were other ideas for holidays but i can't seem to find anything about gifts with meanings. Can anyone help? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf79568642.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Looking for Christmastime Charity in Missouri Could anyone tell me if they know of any Charities that help families in need with Christmas here in Missouri? Stephanie from Holts Summit, MO Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf15750674.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Recipe for Gentle Skin Toner Does anyone have a recipe for a gentle skin toner? Thanks! Norma from Ontario, Canada Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf30356057.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Recipes for a Diabetic Person Looking for recipes of all kinds for a diabetic person. Thanks. Janet from WI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf30679446.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Refreshing Wood Veneer Does anyone know if it is possible to refresh wood veneer? I have a lovely old table but the top has had much use over the years and the veneer looks terrible. The top has been varnished as well. Can I gently sand the top and then re-stain and re-varnish? Any help or advice would be appreciated. Thank you, Lisa from Greece Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf70891129.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print How to Lighten Complexion My complexion has become very dark since I started playing for my school's team in the sun.can anyone please tell me how to remove this dreadful tan and lighten my complexion? Nabiha Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf70214499.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Swiffer, Shark or Swivel? What do you find that really works on hardwoods and vinyl floors. I have to sweep mine 3 times a day (sticky stuff,etc) because of the little ones. Robin from Marietta,GA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf66851533.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Free Baby Bib Pattern With Sleeves Would anyone know where I can get a free pattern to make a baby bib with sleeves? Nicole from Canada Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf45049513.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Looking For Inexpensive Indoor Mini Lights Anyone know where I can buy the indoor mini lights online for a cheap price. I need them for the glass blocks I am making and need quite a few strings. Also for 8x8x4..would you suggest 35 lights or 50? Carrie from Canada Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf83625367.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Low Calorie High Fiber Sandwich Bread Recipe Does anyone have a low-calorie, high fiber sandwich bread recipe? Marla from Missouri Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf74181634.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Copycat Recipe For Cinnamon Roll Oatmeal Does anyone have a copycat recipe for Cinnamon Roll Oatmeal? Marla from Missouri Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf48785743.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print What is This Flower? What is this? It is loaded with flies and butterflies constantly, and I mean loaded! Thanks. Linda By Linda from Bellevue, NE Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf80750694.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Looking For a Recipe to Make Mirin I am looking for a recipe to make mirin. Antoinette Perry from Hi Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf68114573.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Looking For Nachos Recipe Do you have a recipe for nachos? Christa from Cleveland Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf44756737.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Health Advice For Fatty Liver I recently was told that I have a fatty liver. I have never consumed alcohol, but have a similar condition as one who abuses drinking. I wondered if anyone else has been diagnosed with such and what you have found to work to reverse this condition? What foods are advisable to consume? Thank you for your help. Carol from Laingsburg, MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf80678364.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print What Not to Put In Compost Pile I am starting a little compost pile, and I would like to know what NOT to put in it. I am using a kiddie wading pool for this. Thanks for any feedback. Peggy from Chillicothe, OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf66091384.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Freezing Chicken Salad Can you safely freeze and re-use chicken salad? Lyla from Kentucky Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf13661908.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Looking For Manufacturers Stamp on Furniture Hello! I need to know of any tell tale signs other than the stamping of a name on furniture that would let me know if it is worth anything? EG. dovetales, shape, carvings. If this is too vague, can you point me in a direction where I can look some info up on this? Thanks! Mel from Allentown, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf76109612.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Craft Ideas For Fur Fabric Can anyone help? I have just been given generous amounts of fur fabric by a friend. So far i have made a large pencil case for my niece but that's all. Apart from making teddy bears with the fabric- has anyone got some creative ideas for what to do with it please? Many thanks. Monique from Somerset.UK Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf31316200.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Spirit Team Ideas For Singing Group My singing group has started a "Spirit Team" and we need ideas to boost morale. i.e. poems about music, laughing, etc. also, some ideas for special nights...'Shocking Stockings", "Can It Night" for the food pantry. We need quick silly games or THEMES before we begin rehearsals. Thanks so much. JeanneFox from Englewood, FL. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf87169884.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Wedding Reception Candle Centerpiece Ideas Any centerpiece ideas for a reception with candles for cheap. I don't want to use flowers (maybe a few petals) but make it look elegant and expensive. Thank you. Kayla Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf97488783.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Substitute For Powdered Milk I ran out of powdered milk. What can I use for a substitute? Ellenbess Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf23209061.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Recipe For Okra Cheese Rice Casserole I am looking for a recipe for Okra/Cheese/Rice Casserole. I have one before that was made with tomatoes. Do you have any recipes similar to that? Dee from Franklin, LA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf27976981.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Today's Sponsor: 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 More Reading: Ground Beef Recall Expanded Across U.S. The Topps Meat Co. on Saturday expanded its recall of frozen hamburger patties to include 21.7 million pounds of ground beef that may be contaminated with E. coli bacteria that sickened more than a dozen people in eight states. Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf67079907.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Creating Your Craft Room Tips for creating a craft room from the ThriftyFun Community. Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf749457.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Interactive Coupon Swap! Swap coupons with other ThriftyFun.com users. Seed Swap! Swap seeds with other ThriftyFun.com users.