Daily Thrifty Tips - February 23, 2007

Volume Six, Number 38, February 23, 2007 (Read It Online) Here's today's featured request... Making a Pot Rack I am looking for ways to make a hanging pot rack. I want to get all my pot and pans up and out of the way. Cindy from Elkhart, IN Post Feedback Here Have a wonderful weekend! 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: Painting a Potato Bin Two Little Piggies Samson (Dogo Argentino) Today's Tips: Jumpstarting Your Family's Creativity Clean Out The Fridge Before Garbage Day Save the Diaper Money for College Finger Paints First Aid: Symptoms Of Stroke Jello Or Pudding In Cake Mix Celebrate! Soap Pest Spray Chickenpox Booster Vaccination Add Bath Soap Slivers To New Bar New Requests: Lhasa Apso That Bites Recipes Using Kielbasa Sausage Corn Silk Loose Powder Cloth Diapers or Disposable Diapers? Liquid Sand Paper Buying a Used Digital Camera Spring Fling Ideas Buying Plain Cotton Nightgowns Joint Birthday Parties? California Wedding Service Providers Autism Financial Advice Making a Pot Rack Creamy Rice Pudding Easy Crocheted Edge on a Polar Fleece Blanket Wedding Mints Crockpot Rice Pudding Saving Money on Furniture Removing Pen Ink from Furniture Flower Loom Patterns More Reading: Colorado Springs Travel Guide Today's Photos: Painting a Potato Bin Use acrylic paints whenever possible. They are easy to paint over if you need to make a change. This is a photo of my parents potato bin that I decided to decorate for them as a surprise. You should have seen their eyes when I was done. By Christine (age 14) from Toledo, Ohio Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf49880043.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Two Little Piggies Two little piggies wandered onto my property today, it was bitter cold out and we had no idea where they came from. We called the police and they contacted the animal control. I stayed with them, feeding and playing with them for two hours until we found the owners. Do you know they like homemade oatmeal cookies! By Meg from Sanford, ME Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf68621581.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Samson (Dogo Argentino) Samson is a 1 year old Dogo Argentino (Argentine Mastiff) I got him from a friend raises them to show in dog shows. He likes to chew on plastic bottles! On his second dog show, he took first prize! He also took second in the All Male category! By Mary from IL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf83157064.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! Sponsor: Get "The Complete Budget and Bill Organizer" Free When you subscribe to my newsletter "The Budget Stretcher" you will receive this easy guide to effectively organizing and managing your money absolutely free. Get all of the Budget Forms and Worksheets you need to make it work for you. Click the below link to learn more: http://www.homemoneyhelp.com/confirmsubs.html Today's Tips: Jumpstarting Your Family's Creativity By Debra Frick As parents, we are always looking for fun ways to spend time with each other. Here are some great ideas that don't cost a lot of money but are big on the fun factor and just might teach your children something. You may not believe that you are creative but you might be surprised at how creative you can be. Star Bright Party This is something you might want to do when the weather is warmer but you can still do this when the temperature is a little cooler. Spread some blankets out in your yard and lay back and look at the stars. What would a party be without some kind of food. Plan on serving some hot chocolate and donuts, if it is on the chilly side, or watermelon if it is summer. If you live in the city, some sights in the sky will be blocked out by the city lights but you still should be able to see a lot. You can see most of what the sky has to offer with the naked eye, but if you would like a closer view, a telescope will be your best bet. Telescopes can be bought cheaply at Walmart but if you don't want to make that investment, try borrowing one or you can always try for one on Freecycle. You will want to know what to look for when you are out there, I found this website that gives daily stargazing tips http://stardate.org/nightsky/weekly.php. It can really tell you what will be visible on the date you select. It also has a constellation guide and a moon phase calendar. Be a star explorer! If you don't know the name of a group of stars, make up a name and tell stories about your planet. Using our imagination with our children helps to foster their creative juices. Play "Star light, Star bright" and make wishes. Re-write that story You and your children have just watched a movie and everyone is groaning about the ending. Have your children get some paper and pencils and have everyone write an alternative ending, how they would have liked to see the story end. Tell them they can start their story from where they think the story starting going wrong and take it from there. Pick one person to be the judge with the winner winning a ribbon for best screenwriter. Grocery Store Hunt This is a great game to teach your children how to read labels, teach about money and how to spend it. This will cost you about $15.00, depending on how many children you have. Give each child $5.00 and tell them they need to buy the most lunch that they can for their 5 bucks. Tell them that the most nutritious lunch will get extra points, junk food will get points deducted. Before you leave home, make a small chart about points for certain foods (like an apple is worth 5 points, salad from the Deli is worth 30 points) with whoever gets closest to 100 points wins. Have points for buying a loaf of bread and sandwich fillings that will feed more than just themselves. This teaches that quantity is sometimes cheaper than a single serving. Award points for the least amount spent. Teach them how to read the labels and to show how many calories are in that can of Spagettios. Teach about the empty calories in TV dinners and how fresh foods are really the best. Try not to roll your eyes when they head to the potato chip aisle. Teach them about the calories in potato chips and how there are better choices. Try not to pick their food for them, this is how to teach them to make their own wise food choices. Now take them home and let them prepare and eat what they have chosen. Recycle Day Have your kids take the things that would normally go in the recycle bin and tell them that these are the building blocks for making thier own toys. 2 liter bottles can be cut in half and used as a ball toss game. The bottoms can be used as molds for flower shaped paper holders or as stamps for fabric painting. They then color, cut and paste to their heart's content. Old margarine containers can be used to build buildings or make doll furniture. Old boxes can become blocks or buildings for a race track. Artist Day Take your family to the local arts and crafts show to get them in the mood. Most are free. If your family is anything like mine, you have crayons, paints, markers, and assorted color pencils all around your house. Tell your kids it is "Artist Day". Get in on the act, draw with your kids. Pass out some assorted art supplies. Put on some classical music and have them draw what they feel the music is telling them. String a string across the room and hang their works of art. Have each artist's name and explain what they have drawn. Have everyone vote which is the best and hand out a certificate for the Picasso award. Hang the best in the living room and the runners up on the refrigerator. Game Day Pull out your board games and set up in your dining room. Make some good healthy snacks. Play games with your children but don't stick to the rules, make your own. After you have played all your favorites, talk to your kids about what they like about each game and brainstorm about what things they would like to combine to make their own game. Pull out some paper and write down your ideas. Using paper, map out your board game. Markers can be made from old lids from sodas or drinks or use old pieces from another game. Spinners can be made out of paper plates and a paper arrow. Have the kids color the board game squares. Make up your own rules as to how the game is to be played. Glue game board to cardboard. You will be absolutely amazed how creative your children can be, you will be promoting that creativity and you will be teaching creative problem solving. Next weekend, let them invite their friends to come and play their new game. Plant a Salad Garden You don't have to have a big yard to do this one. Salads can be grown on a patio or balcony, even in the city. Talk to your kids about what they like in a salad. Decide on which things you would like to grow. Go to the local Walmart or your hardware store and buy some seeds. I have bought seeds for about 10 cents a package at the local hardware store. Walgreen's even sells seeds very cheaply. Gather a bunch of flower pots together. You can even use large margarine containers. Have the kids decorate the pots and label them. Fill each pot with potting soil. Plant your seeds. Most will sprout within 10 days. You can grow lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, spring onions, even carrots if you have a deep enough pot. With carrots, they will only grow so long depending on the depth of your container, but will be perfect for a salad. Remember to remind them to water their plants and then reap the benefits. Your children will learn how things grow and patience. When you have used all your plants for salads, replant the containers. You can have fresh salad all year long. Just put the pots in a sunny window. By Debra Frick Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf10845540.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Clean Out The Fridge Before Garbage Day I always clean out food from the fridge every week on the day before trash day. That way, there is no rot smell in the house or rotting food in the fridge. Also, that night becomes leftover night. By LRP from Lowell, MA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf20964972.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Save the Diaper Money for College When your child finally gets potty trained, put the $50 or so you have been spending monthly on diapers into a college fund! By Linda Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf249142.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Finger Paints Ingredients: 2 cups flour 2 teaspoon salt 3 cups cold water 2 cups hot water drops of food coloring Directions: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine flour and salt. Add cold water and using a whisk or hand mixer, beat mixture until smooth. Add hot water and bring mixture to a boil, stirring until glossy. Remove from heat. If you want to make more then 1 color, carefully separate into more containers. Add drops of desired color food coloring. Stir until mixture is completely colored, adding more drops of food coloring if needed. Let your finger paint cool completely before using finger paints in various art projects. Store in airtight containers. Makes about 5 cups. By Jan from Suring, WI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf29526649.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print First Aid: Symptoms Of Stroke Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions: S * Ask the individual to SMILE. T * Ask the person to TALK and speak a simple sentence (coherently, i.e., It is sunny out today). R * Ask him or her to RAISE both arms. Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out their tongue. If the tongue is 'crooked' (if it goes to one side or the other), that is also an indication of a stroke. If he or she has trouble with any one of these tasks, call 911 immediately! and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher. By Jan from Cincinnati OH Editors Note: For more information on strokes and symptoms go to: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/pubs/stroke_bookmark.htm Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf398444.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Jello Or Pudding In Cake Mix When using a packaged cake mix to change the flavor and make it moist, I use a package of Jello and mix it with all the ingredients of the cake mix. Any flavor can be used. This makes the cake flavorful, moist and is a crowd pleaser. You can also use pudding mix. I do this all the time and everyone thinks it is a homemade cake. Of course, I do not give away my secret. By Carolyn from E Northport NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf44024599.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Celebrate! Develop a sense of occasion! Life is so much nicer when broken up with little celebrations, for birthdays, anniversaries and the other holidays throughout the year. You don't have to fall victim to the advertising hype. Just have simple but heartfelt festive touches and maybe some feasting! Being careful with your money doesn't mean that you have to be grim! By pam from Los Angeles Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf71344262.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Soap Pest Spray Mix two tablespoons liquid Ivory soap and one gallon water. Use a spray bottle to apply to your plant's leaves. It will help eliminate aphids, cinch bugs, spider mites, and white flies. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf71968927.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Chickenpox Booster Vaccination We got a note a couple of weeks ago from school warning us that there were several reported cases of chickenpox. Sure enough, 10 days later, my First grader broke out in red spots. Our doctor told us that the new chickenpox vaccine was proven to need a booster at the 5 year checkup. This was decided in October, 2006 so a lot of kids haven't gotten the booster yet. There is a wave of chickenpox right now because of this. I have the dubious pleasure of having two kids home, one bored and itchy. I hope the vaccine will prevent my 4 year old from getting it but that is probably a long shot. He is at the doctor's right now, getting the booster vaccine, just in case. So this is just a heads up to parents with kids over 5 to make sure they get the new immunization. If anyone has any tips for caring for kids with chickenpox, I'd love some input. Jess Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf79844952.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Add Bath Soap Slivers To New Bar Don't waste bath soap. You're at the end of the bar and it's uncomfortable to use the little piece of soap. But, don't throw it out. Combine with your new bar of soap. Have both pieces of soap wet. Rough up both pieces. (scratch across both.) Press the two pieces together, scratch surfaces to scratch service . Add more hot water and press. Let it rest until your next shower, and you now have added extra life to your bath soap. By Peggy from Charlotte, NC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf82635915.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: Lhasa Apso That Bites I have a Lhasa Apso, he is about 16 pounds. How do I get him to stop wanting to bite and chase after anybody he sees, even when it comes to children? Digna from Missouri Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf14158666.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Recipes Using Kielbasa Sausage My son gave me some kielbasa, the Polish sausage. I would like some recipes for its use, but not too heavy. Does one boil it, saute it, broil it? HELP! Thanks, Miriam Null from Southbury, CT Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf19307041.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Corn Silk Loose Powder Does anybody in Southern NJ know where to find corn silk loose powder? Denise U from Sicklerville, NJ Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf21711517.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Cloth Diapers or Disposable Diapers? My daughter is about to have her first child and I am looking for information on the cost comparison between Cloth and Disposable Diapers. Any other diaper tips would be great. Thanks, Lois in LA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf243244.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Liquid Sand Paper Does liquid sand paper work, or is there something better than liquid sand paper? Judy from Memphis Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf28193332.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Buying a Used Digital Camera I would like to buy an inexpensive used digital camera on eBay. I intend to use it to photograph items I'm selling on eBay. Do you have a camera (manufacturer and model, please) that you'd recommend? It's fine if it's a few years old, of course! Liz from Maryland Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf32117797.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Spring Fling Ideas I am the faculty adviser for a student-led community service club at the high school where I teach. The students want to have a "Spring Fling" at a retirement home to provide the residents with something fun to do for an evening. Does anybody have any ideas about games, decorations, music, etc? Thanks in advance. Allison Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf34635147.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Buying Plain Cotton Nightgowns Does anyone know of a site or a store that sells plain cotton nightgowns (not knit) for a reasonable price? Maybe not quite the "prairie" type but just simple gowns for summer. I am having a hard time finding ones that don't seem quite expensive to me. tamisuemcp2000 from Missouri Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf35060320.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Joint Birthday Parties? My 30th birthday is the day after my sons 1st birthday. Does anyone have any fun ideas for a party (or parties)? Amanda from Australia Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf42475540.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print California Wedding Service Providers I am getting married September 2007 and would like to know if anyone knows an affordable caterer with servers, cleanup crew and possibly (I know I'm pushing it) decorating crew for a budget of $3000-$4000. Thanks in advance! Martha from Corona, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf57843245.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Autism Financial Advice I have a 4 year old child with autism. My husband works full time. We have health insurance but the only thing regarding autism they will cover is 4 yearly visits for a speech therapist. I tried working but ended up minus because of paying for in home sitters (no daycare will accept him not potty trained with his health issues, etc.) I applied for SSI and was approved but later denied (my older child turned 18 and is still a student). Our take home pay is $1800 monthly for a family of 4. My husband pays $600 child support for an older child, plus medical. My child is in a preschool but he needs so much more. After bills and buying all the things we have to have (diapers, medication, etc.) there is only a few dollars to stretch out over the month. Any suggestions or advice would be wonderful. JM from Grays Harbor County, WA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf63855808.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Making a Pot Rack I am looking for ways to make a hanging pot rack. I want to get all my pot and pans up and out of the way. Cindy from Elkhart, IN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf72981629.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Creamy Rice Pudding I am looking for a recipe for a creamy rice pudding. All the recipes I have found are more like a custard. Please help! littlemamadee from Marion, NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf74667633.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Easy Crocheted Edge on a Polar Fleece Blanket I have seen the fleece blankets with yarn crocheted edges and I want to make one. How do you get the holes in the fleece? Cathy from Saginaw, MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf761475.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Wedding Mints I want the recipe for those mints you make in molds for weddings, bridal showers or baby showers. Nicole from MN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf76664980.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Crockpot Rice Pudding Does anyone have a good rice pudding recipe that can be made in a crockpot? Tried and tasty recipes. Jackolyn Smith from Riverdale, GA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf79901159.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Saving Money on Furniture It's great to have useful, durable and attractive furniture but even low quality furniture can be expensive. Do you have any tips for saving money on furniture? Please post them below. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf84913176.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Removing Pen Ink from Furniture I was wondering if any one can help me? My dog got to a pen and it exploded and it's all over my furniture. I was wondering if there is anything to take the pen out? Thank you much! Kimmy from Joliet, IL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf885939.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Flower Loom Patterns I am looking for patterns for a Flower Loom. Judy from Traverse Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf97295222.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print More Reading: Colorado Springs Travel Guide Welcome to the Great Rocky Mountains and the home of Pikes Peak. Whether you visit in the summer or winter, the Pikes Peak Region has many things to offer year round and is truly one of America's wonderful playgrounds. Spectacular views and the ghost of history will meet you on every corner. Colorado Springs offers many fine Bed and Breakfasts that feature historical buildings with antique furniture and fine breakfasts and other amenities but some do not accept pets or children. In Colorado Springs, we have many KOA campgrounds and many fine campgrounds to park your RV or very reasonable family run motels and hotels. See the visitor's guide for more selections. First thing I would do is get a copy of a good Colorado Springs map for your visit and remember this, the mountains are always to the west. Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf62082445.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.