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Hello,
Some of you may have noticed the website was a little sluggish this morning. We ironed out a few kinks and It seems to be running fine now.
If you have any holiday or winter travel tips for our upcoming Holiday Travel Ebook please submit them on the contest form.
Thanks for reading,
Susan
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Today's Tips
When we got our hot tub it came with a nice insulated cover. What we did not count on was that my daughter's pit bull puppy would love to tear it up. Our hot tub is outside so we tried everything to keep it covered and ended up not using it for a couple of winter's because it became a real money drain.
Well, this weekend we came up with a great solution and it costed about less than 100.00 total compared to 300.00-400.00 for a new top. We bought two sheets of the new wall insulation that is made of styrofoam. We used liquid nails to glue it to a 1/4" piece of plywood. We made the cover in two pieces so it would not be to heavy to take off with just one person.
We then installed an eyebolt at each corner of the hot tub in our deck and one in the middle of the outside on the deck. We then got some long bungee cords to hold the lids down. Got up this morning it's about 30 degrees and no steam escaping from the hot tub. The bungee's held it securely and I know that we won't be losing it in any wind storm either. I hope this helps someone else.
P.S. My husband did paint the plywood and for maximum efficiency he says we should wrap the whole unit in heavy plastic, stapling the plastic to the painted side of the plywood.
By Debra in Colorado
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While on vacation, pick up free brochures advertising 'things to do' in that area - and then correlate them with your photos for that vacation page. They often include maps, big headlines, backdrops, etc. and other fun things that will save you money later!
By Carol
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I use baking powder to reduce odors in my laundry. Use about 1/8 to 1/4 cup per load and the laundry will smell okay. The amount can be changed depending on your need.
By Bea Westrate
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Instead of buying kitchen dish rags take old towels and cut them into the size you want to clean your dishes with, then finish the edges on your sewing machine and wallah, you can wash them and reuse them. Make larger ones to keep on hand for spills. It saves you from buying expensive paper towels and keeps our environment safer too!
By Henrietta
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Ingredients:
1 can (10 3/4 oz.) Campbell's Southwest Style Pepper Jack Soup
1 1/2 lb. ground beef
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
1 egg, beaten
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tsp. garlic powder
Directions:
Mix 1/2 can soup, beef, bread crumbs, egg, onion and garlic powder thoroughly. Shape firmly into 8"x4" loaf in baking pan. Bake at 350°F. 30 min. Spoon remaining soup over meatloaf. Bake 30 min. more or until done. Serves 6.
By Kathy
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If you have thick ankles, avoid shoes with ankle straps at all costs. Instead, look for straps across the front of the foot to draw attention away from the ankle area. Open toes or detail at the toe have the same effect. Also try stacked, chunky heels, which will make your ankles look more proportionate.
By Kathy
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Ingredients:
3 cups onions, coarsely chopped
3 cups potatoes, peeled and cubed
6 1/2 cups Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and cubed
2 cups chopped, peeled celery
4 cups chicken stock
2 cups cider
Salt and pepper to taste
Chopped, fresh chives for garnish
Directions:
In large pot, combine onions, potatoes, apples and celery. Add chicken stock and cider. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 40 minutes or until vegetables are very tender.
By Kathy
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Buy Dark Clothing - Know When to Skimp
If you're on a budget, spend less by buying dark-colored clothes. Workmanship is much less noticeable in dark-colored fabrics, so most inexpensive darks can pass for pricier.
By Kathy
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My mom says my grandmother used to make this recipe and then stuff it into clean old stockings that had gotten runs in them. She'd then let it chill outside. (She only made it in winter because they had no icebox.) Each morning she would squeeze some out and fry it up, then serve it with syrup. My mom says it was DEE-LICIOUS!
Ingredients:
2 cups steel-cut oatmeal
6 lbs. beef chuck
2 large onions
6 heaping tbs. allspice
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Cook chuck in water with sliced onion, allspice and salt, until tender. Strain liquid. Cook steel-cut oatmeal in liquid about 20 minutes. Grind meat and mix with oatmeal. Stuff into casings.
By Kathy
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I reuse bread bags for scooping cat litter. Just tie the end in a knot and toss into trash can - no smell!
By Diana
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For A Lighter Whole Wheat Bread
To make a whole wheat bread rise higher and feel lighter, add 1 Tablespoon of lemon juice to the dough as you're mixing it. This will add lightness, but will not influence the taste.
By joesgirl
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Homemade Carpet Cleaning Solution
Cleaning the Carpets
Instead of using expensive carpet shampoo to clean your carpet do what grandma used to use and use white vinegar and hot water. It cleans great, freshens and neutralizes any odors and rinses the carpet nicely leaving no soap. Try it you will love it!
By Henrietta
Steam Carpet Cleaner Recipe
For my steam cleaner, first I mix 1 gallon white vinegar with 1 cup borax. Then, I use 1 cup of the solution in my steam cleaner and fill with hot water.
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Toothpaste Fights Tarnish On Silver
To clean tarnish off silver without using a silver polish, coat the silver with toothpaste, then run it under warm water, work it into a foam, and rinse it off. For stubborn stains or for silverware with intricate grooves, use an old soft bristled toothbrush.
By joesgirl
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To get a musty odor out of old books, place the books outdoors in the sun and frequently fan out the pages so that the air can reach them. Brush off any mildew or mold. If the pages are damp, sprinkle cornstarch between them and brush it off after a few hours.
By joesgirl
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Stretching The Life Of Clothes
Turn your garments inside out before machine washing and drying to reduce wear on edges and creases. You should also do this if you frequently hang your clothes outside to dry because turning them inside out prevents the sun from fading colors.
By joesgirl
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You can dry heavy blankets on the line quickly and without stretching by using this technique: Hang the blanket across the line with the binding down. Then pull the opposite corners down. Water will drip from the lower corners, yet air will still circulate inside the fold.
By joesgirl
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Hang an old washcloth on a hook in the cupboard under your bathroom sinks. Use it to wipe up spills and the water that splashes onto your counters.
By Lee
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Saves Manuals For Tools and Appliances
Operator's manuals are valuable. They tell how to safely use an appliance or tool, where to get it repaired, and often how to make adjustments or repairs yourself. They also enhance the value of an item if you eventually decide to sell it. But these manuals tend to disappear, in the shop or in the bottoms of drawers. Place them in a folder and tuck the folder in the home files. In the workshop, manuals can be hung on a nail near the tool they pertain to.
By joesgirl
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Using the Space in Your House - Sleep In Smaller Rooms
If you are short on living space in your home consider this: use one of your smaller bedrooms for sleeping, and use your largest bedroom as a family room, den, or craft room.
By Lee
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Our dentist told us to mix 1/3 mouthwash, 1/3 peroxide, 1/3 water for an effective way to prevent gum problems. I buy generic mouthwash and peroxide. We have very healthy gums at limited cost.
By Colleen Gold
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Place an opened box of hardened brown sugar into the microwave with one cup of water. Microwave at high for 1 1/2-2 minutes for 1/2 pound or 2 - 3 minutes for 1 pound.
By Robin
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When peeling vegetables, peel the large end first, then the small end. That way you will have the rough skin as a "handle" while you're holding the small end, and you'll have the large end to hold as a "handle" while you peel the small end.
By Katie A.
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Roast Tips - Bone vs Boneless
A roast with the bone in will cook faster than a boneless roast because the bone carries the heat to the inside of the roast quicker.
Roast Tips - Room Temperature
Never cook a cold roast. Let stand for at least an hour at room temperature. Brush with oil before and during the roasting. The oil will seal in the juices.
By Robin
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Would you like to save money on expensive air fresheners that only cover the odors not neutralize them? Get a spray bottle and fill it half with vinegar and half with water and spray away the smoke filled rooms and the odors.
By Henrietta
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Be sure to check out our active topics page to follow the discussion.
http://www.thriftyfun.com/board.html
Tip Contest
Submit a tip and you could win:
New Contest! $30.00 Gift Card
In our newest contest we are giving away a $30.00 Gift Card at one of the following stores: Home Depot, Jo-Ann's Crafts or Amazon.com. If you are the winner, you get to choose which gift card! We figured it would be more valuable if you pick out your own prize, that's why we have decided to go the gift card route. This contest will end on November 15th.
Syndication Spotlight:
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Dear Webby's Humor Letter
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New Requests:
Where to Find Kenny Chesney Merchandise
Hello,
My g'daughter simply loves the country singer, Kenny Chesney. Does anyone know where or how I may obtain items that pertain to him. Like posters, key chains, etc etc. In other words anything! She is so hard to buy for and w. Christmas coming up, this would be an ideal gift. Thanks, Carol
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Having a Wedding Reception Without Candles
I am LOST! My wedding is in April, and the reception hall does not allow candles, however my wedding is an evening wedding, so candles would not only be fitting, but the soft light is what I envision. Please help, any tips?
Lost in Indiana,
Astute
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