Daily Thrifty Tips - July 11, 2006

Free Photo Organizer From Google

"Picasa is software that helps you instantly find, edit and share all the pictures on your PC. Every time you open Picasa, it automatically locates all your pictures (even ones you forgot you had) and sorts them into visual albums organized by date with folder names you will recognize. You can drag and drop to arrange your albums and make labels to create new groups. Picasa makes sure your pictures are always organized."

More Information:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf61219677.tip.html

I have an area in back of my house at the edge of the woods where I feed the birds and the squirrels. I spend hours watching them play and feed. A couple days ago, I had a new guest at my "critter table".

I took this picture from the window above my kitchen sink. She came two days in a row, and I haven't seen her again, but I am sure she will be back. She enjoyed the shelled corn on the table.

By Harlean from Hot Springs, Arkansas

Post Feedback: Click Here

Kitty Girl is a 1 year old Domestic Short Hair cat. Before the hurricanes in 2004 my husband was feeding a wild cat where he worked and was told if the owners saw the cat they would destroy it. So he caught her in a crate and we had her spayed and brought her home. She is a very proud part of our family.

She likes to chase play mice, climb the cat tree, help me make the bed, play hide and seek, and play with the other two cats in our home.

We were told that she would not become a social part of our family. We never thought that to be true. It took us endless hours in a spare bedroom but in one month she was part of the family and allowing us to touch and pet her. She fit right in with our family.

By Kerri from Vero Beach

Post Feedback: Click Here

• Tip Contest
  Submit a Tip or Recipe!

• Photo Contest
  Submit a tip with photo!

The above 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!
• Frugal Travel Guides
  Submit a Frugal Travel Guide

Pass this on to anyone who likes sitting out in the evening or when they're having a cook out. So you don't like those pesky mosquitoes, especially now that they have the potential to carry the West Nile Virus?

Here's a tip that was given at a recent gardening forum.

Put some water in a white dinner plate and add just a few drops of Lemon Fresh Joy dish detergent. Set the dish on your porch, patio, or other outdoor area. Not sure what attracts them, the lemon smell, or the white plate, but mosquitoes flock to it, and drop dead shortly after drinking the Lemon Fresh Joy/water mixture, and usually within about 10 feet of the plate.

Check this out -- it works just super! May seem trivial, but it may help control mosquitoes around your home, especially in the South and elsewhere where the West Nile virus is reaching epidemic proportions in mosquitoes, birds, and humans.

By Darlene in Mississauga, Ontario Canada

Post Feedback: Click Here

Put the eggs in a pan filled with cold water. Put in 1/4 cup of salt. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat and cover with lid. Set the timer for 10 minutes, not 9, not 11, 10 minutes! Drain add cold water to stop cooking. Crack eggs well. Put back in pan. Under warm water start to peel at the small end! That's it! PERFECT!

By Debbie Destino from Lewiston New York

Post Feedback: Click Here

For a quick shoe shine, turn to your husbands car care stash. "Armour All" will shine shoes very quickly; and it last a long time as well.

By Marnita from Cumming, GA

Post Feedback: Click Here

There are casserole dishes that I like to prepare and eat. I didn't used to make them because I knew my husband didn't care for them. Now, when I'm wanting one of them, I make them, in a 9x13 inch dish. Upon baking and cooling, I cut the casserole into servings and freeze them, just for me. So when I'm needing a fast lunch. All I have to do is bring it out of the freezer and place in the microwave. This way my husband doesn't have to get stuck eating a certain casserole he doesn't like.

By Terri from NV

Post Feedback: Click Here

On New Years Day I start my Christmas fund. Everytime I write a check, in my check register, I round it off to the next dollar and forget about it. After a while you do it automatically and boy does it add up. It is also easier to subtract for your balance (no cents, to fool with). As of today I have $258.00 in the bank for my Christmas fund.

It's a lot easier and more fun to buy for Christmas every year instead of worrying about spending your bill money in December. Several of my friends have started doing this and they enjoy Christmas a lot more, too.

By BARBARA from WIGGINS, MS.

Post Feedback: Click Here

When making something where you have bought more than one skein of a given color, save one of the papers wrapped around the skein, and write on it near the color name, what you made with that color. If you should run short of yarn or want to make another item in that color, you won't have to try to remember what the color was.

By Linda L from Bloomington

Post Feedback: Click Here

Another great use for pantyhose! Save the waistband to use in place of elastic when making a skirt for yourself. Saves money by not needing to buy elastic PLUS it saves time, because no measurement is needed!

By Carol from Lancaster, PA

Post Feedback: Click Here

Dear Webby's Humor Letter

Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter.

More Information:
http://webby.com/humor

How do you dry a rose to keep it forever?

Cassie from Dublin

Post Feedback: Click Here

I need to add acidity to my flowers bed for roses. What should I use?

Hardiness Zone: 6a

Tina Butler From Cincinnati, Ohio

Post Feedback: Click Here

I have about 100 beanie babies at the top of my closet that I would still like to keep in my room, but not out collecting dust. Please tell me some ways I can store them so that they aren't being displayed but also not taking up lots of room.

Bdawg from Winnipeg MB

Post Feedback: Click Here

How do I stop my insoles from squeaking! It is driving me nuts! I found one solution, which is to use baby power, this works for a day or two until the power has absorbed the sweat. I read somewhere using tape on the insoles will keep the insoles quiet. What type of tape should I use?

Thanks!
Elton from Toronto, ON

Post Feedback: Click Here

I would like some help finding recipe for Applebee's Boneless Barbecued Chicken. I will be having a party would love to serve it. Thanks for your help.

Donna J. from Troy, NY

Post Feedback: Click Here

My dd received a white shirt from her grandmother, (big mistake for a 5 year old) and she played in a mud puddle while wearing it. I have soaked it in hot soapy bleach water with vinegar and baking soda, and cannot get it white again. Any suggestions on how i can get these stains out? I even tried soaking it in hot soapy water with lemon juice and hanging on line. Please Help! Thank you in advance!

Janice from Illinois

Post Feedback: Click Here

I have a newly planted weeping cherry tree, last year. It is at least 3 years old. This year it has shoots growing on the bottom of the trunk. Do I keep them on it or do I cut them off. I know on tomato plants they use to call them suckers.

Hardiness Zone: 6a

JILL from Shavertown, PA

Post Feedback: Click Here

I am looking for tips on how to save money and invest it?

Ramel from Cebu Phil.

Post Feedback: Click Here

I'm new to gardening and I am growing cucumbers for the 1st time. I would like to know if it is advisable to have the cucumbers on the ground. The vines are growing out of control, should I stake them like tomatoes?

WINDELLA from PASADENA, CA

Post Feedback: Click Here

What is the best way to clean the rubber seal around shower doors?

Linda

Post Feedback: Click Here

I get mysterious stains on my laundry and am beyond frustrated. Hundreds of dollars of clothes have been stained and most don't come out all the way. The stains do tend to fade with a lot of work. They look like the fabric is wet, so the fabric color, just darker spots. We have bought a new washer, tried different types of detergent, fabric sheets, liquid fabric softener, taken out our soft water system, etc. I have tried all tips people have given. Many thought it was liquid softener, but I always used fabric sheets. We have our own well and don't know if we should have someone look into our pipes or move!

Rhonda from Holmen, WI

Post Feedback: Click Here

Please help! I need to know how to get rid of all the "thousand leggers" in the house, they just creep me out!

Thanks,
Joanne from PA

Post Feedback: Click Here

I like to grill bagels with butter in my cast iron skillet. However, sometimes the bagels will not lay flat and part of the bagel will not be grilled. I priced a grill presser which was made out of heavy cast iron for $20. The kind they use in restaurants to lay on top of bacon. Before I purchase this expensive item does anyone have any other ideas that might help?

Onesummer from Georgia

Post Feedback: Click Here

I am looking for a easy ripple crochet baby blanket pattern.

Kathy

Post Feedback: Click Here

For the past 3 summers my Daylilies have bloomed so well. This year, half the group did not develop scapes, while half did and are now in bloom. They are in the same location with the same amount of sun, same type of soil, etc. Do you know what is happening and what I need to do to make these bloom next season?

Hardiness Zone: 6b

Thanks,
Natalie from Fairfield, CT

Post Feedback: Click Here

In a recent power outage, I dropped some candle wax on a new carpet. How can I get it out?

Thanks very much!

Nancy from Newtown Square, PA

Post Feedback: Click Here

How can I get rid of ground moles naturally?

Thank you,
Darlene from North Street, MI

Post Feedback: Click Here

I understand that sponges can be sanitized in the microwave. How long should it take to sanitize for a 900 watt microwave? Or a 750 watt?

Thanks,
Gran from Lubbock, TX

Post Feedback: Click Here

I am nearly 65 years old and have a lot of arthritis throughout my body. I have a very hard time bending down or lifting anything that is even slightly heavy. My question is: Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can better organize my kitchen in order to lessen the amount of bending and lifting I do? I really love to cook, but it has become a real chore,

Thanks,
Judy from Birmingham, AL

Post Feedback: Click Here

Free Photo Organizer From Google

"Picasa is software that helps you instantly find, edit and share all the pictures on your PC. Every time you open Picasa, it automatically locates all your pictures (even ones you forgot you had) and sorts them into visual albums organized by date with folder names you will recognize. You can drag and drop to arrange your albums and make labels to create new groups. Picasa makes sure your pictures are always organized."

More Information:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf61219677.tip.html

Heating a home can be a pricey task. With oil costs on the constant rise, a home heating bill can often be exorbitant. Yet, there are some ways to reduce the cost and now is the time to do it.

Read More: Click Here

Tips for freezing pizza.

Read More: Click Here

It's true that while one store may save a shopper money on shampoo another store will do that same for grapes. Yet, traveling to these different stores to save pennies here and there often isn't worth the gas it takes, especially with today's gas prices. Instead, choose a few select stores for shopping needs, and choose them based on which ones will save you the most money.

Read More: Click Here

Coupon Swap!
Swap coupons with other ThriftyFun.com users:

Seed Swap!
Swap seeds with other ThriftyFun.com users: