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Vol. 8, Num. 97, May 18, 2009 (Read It Online) We hope everyone had a nice weekend! There is still time to vote for last week's contest contenders. You can see the full list here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/contest.ldml?contest=13961 Winners will be announced once all contest contenders have had a chance to achieve their 10 day total. That will be May 26th. Today we start a new contest, be sure to give a "thumbs up" to posts that you like. You can vote for as many entries as you want. Do you have any camping tips to share with the ThriftyFun community? Feel free to submit them on the contest page. Thanks for reading, The ThriftyFun Team
Edit Your Subscriptions: To edit your ThriftyFun subscriptions, click the Update Profile/Email Address link at the bottom of this newsletter.
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:
Last year a bird built a nest on top of the electrical box, which is just under the gutters. This year another bird claimed it as her home and today I found the new babies just hatched, how cute. By Peggy B from Cortland, OH Contest Contender!
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Reuse Plastic Meat Trays Around the House I get these when I buy ground turkey. For more things than I can count, they are wonderful. Source: Just using my head for more than a place to hang my hat! By Poor But Proud from Salem OR Contest Contender!
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At my first grandchild's shower I did the guest book table with a few balloons and framed scrapbook pages, one of the parents when they were babies, one of the grandparents and one of the great grandparents. Everyone loved the pictures and thought it was a great idea. By Tammy from Herrin, IL Contest Contender!
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Moose is a Labrottie/Rottador, who is just over a year old. We got Moose from a breeder who's female got 'got' by a Rottweiller. If the pups were not sold, they were going to have them destroyed. Needless to say, we do not recommend this breeder. Moose has a tennis ball and rope addiction. He loves his biscuits and always knows when I am getting ready to make him more. He is always there to lick the peanut butter spoon. When we got Moose, he was a 3 pound ball of fur. Now he is 105 pounds of happy muscle! He loves to play, and he adores chasing lights like cats do. By Margauruitte from Fort Polk, LA Contest Contender!
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These contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25!
Check for Energy Draining Devices at Night Cutting back on your electrical usage can be easy IF you know where to look. This exercise must be done after dark, with the lights off, if possible. Walk around each room and look for red or green lights on appliances and electrical devices. Your television, cable box and the DVD player, coffee maker and electric toothbrush charger, etc. probably all have the indicators, which mean your appliances are pulling electricity EVEN when not in use, adding dollars to your electric bill. Source: LG and E PowerSource Customer letter, April 2009 edition By skibum1910 from Prospect, KY Contest Contender!
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Product Review: Head-On Headache Remedy Product: Head-On Manufacturer: Miralus Healthcare Cost: $4-5 Head-On is a product that has been made fun of on TV, but it's a product that works! I get headaches a lot, and sometimes they go into migraines. You can use as much as you need, just rub the stick all over the forehead, and it does take away the pain, most of the time. It works because the stick has a cooling quality to it, and relief is usually to be found. By kljohn from Crawford, CO Contest Contender!
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Break Down Organizing to Manageable Tasks I used to be very disorganized; that wasn't the problem. The problem was I had no way to sort things out that felt comfortable to me. But in 1991, I was unemployed for a few weeks and decided to occupy myself by solving the problem once and for all. I had my bedroom in a large family room with all my hobby stuff, intermingled with my personal things. It gave me a headache to approach the mess and I felt inadequate. But this one day, the light bulb went on, and life has been better ever since. I started to gather my hair things and felt overwhelmed by all the categories. I had three sizes and types of bobby pins alone. Even that felt like too much. So I picked the medium brown ones, and literally went around the room and gathered each one I found until I had them all and put a rubber band around them and put them in a small box. Then I picked the second kind, searched them all out, rubberbanded them, and added them to the box. I found I needed to break the categories down to one at a time, taking it through the gathering, securing, and placing, otherwise I felt overwhelmed. I had been postponing this day of reckoning for a long time. I let my feelings be my guide. If I didn't feel confused or overwhelmed, I continued. I went by size, category, attachment, conflict, etc. If I felt conflicted, I put it down and worked on something else or broke the task down to yet smaller tasks. This room contained sewing things, a knitting machine, two spinning wheels, wool, yarn, dyes, a loom, clothing, books, and all the equipment which went with these hobbies. It took me two long, long days, probably 8-9 hours per day, plus a bit of a 3rd day to get things hung up, sorted and given a place, categorized, thrown away, and so on. Afterward, I let things go for a while again until it got messy, perhaps to test myself. When it reached a degree of clutter I couldn't abide, not as bad as the first time, I did the same thing. I had to break it down, just as before, to get the job done with any degree of inner peace. But after that second round, organizing anything was never a problem again, and in fact, I do it to relax. I am more than happy to help clean up disorganization in my grandchildren's houses when they are at work, and very little dismays me. I have been lost, and found my own way out. Chaos does not unnerve me anymore, as long as I can help do something about it. So I suggest being the feeling creatures we are, use your feelings as your guide and break it down until you feel all right, and clutter just magically disappears. By pikka from Westminster, CO Contest Contender!
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Pfizer Extending Free Drug Program According to an article in the L.A. Times Pfizer is extending its free drug program for 70+ of their drugs - for as much as a YEAR - to those who "people who have lost jobs since, 1/1/09, and have been taking the drug for 3 months or more. (This is in addition to the "indigent drug program" for those unable to pay). I am sure you can get the details online! I got free meds for a while when I was very broke. Source: L.A. Times Friday, 5/15/09 By pamphyila from L.A., CA Editor's Note: Here is a link to Pfizer's website: Contest Contender!
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Who needs paper towels? This is a truly frugal idea I had several years ago. Do you have old t-shirts waiting for Goodwill sitting around? Cut them horizontally from the bottom of one sleeve to the other, basically harvesting the flat cloth beneath the sleeves. Then cut them down each side on the seam. You will have two larger cloths that you can either hem or not hem. I use these for spills, cleaning, dish washing - whatever! I no longer pay high prices for paper towels. By Diane B from Saint Joseph, MI Contest Contender!
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I was watching the Dog Whisperer and he said if a dog gets overheated in the summer, the best way to cool him off is get them to stand in water up to their bellies. Dogs will cool off faster this way rather than spraying them with water on their backs. Source: The Dog Whisperer By PICO from ST Paul, Alberta Contest Contender!
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I had bought a type of room freshener and found I can make them for much less than the $10.00 that I paid! I went to garden shop and bought 'SoilMoist', which are granules which retain moisture when planting. I used empty candle jars which had tight fitting covers. Put a couple of tablespoons of SoilMoist in jar (you can always add more) and add water. The granules swell about 4 times their size. Add several drops of essential oil, stir with something you don't mind its absorbing the scent, and cover with the jar cover for several hours. Open and enjoy the fragrance spreading through out the room. I use Lavender for my bedroom to relax me! When the granules dry out, add water and essential oil, cover, then enjoy! This can be done frequently as needed. By Joandogs Contest Contender!
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Picasa: Free Photo Organizer From Google I downloaded pictures I took while on vacation at my brothers farm. I wanted to make a scrapbook for them of all the animals and kids. I got them off my new camera and onto the computer no problem. Then I meant to delete one picture and accidentally deleted them all. I was devastated. Someone had told me about Picasa to share and also do some cool editing of my photos. So I downloaded it, for free. It searches for all the pictures on your computer. Well, it found all my pictures that I thought we gone. I was so happy, so I suggest if anyone wants to find pictures or just do some cool editing and sharing to try this out. By micksgirl from Paducah, KY Contest Contender!
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Tilex Fresh Shower to Kill Household Ants Use Tilex fresh shower to kill ants in the house. It stops the instantly and practically melts them. It smells great too. The only downside is that it has no residual value. Once it is dry, they walk right over it. I sprayed a colony and it killed it instantly. I think that the surfactant with the acid does them in. At any rate, a great find and smells better than bug sprays. By Handyman Dan from Chicago, IL Contest Contender!
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Collect Smooth Stones For Hot Stone Massage Want to treat someone to a relaxing moment? Here's a frugal way to show them that you care. Collect smooth stones from your yard or from your beach travels, wash them and gently heat them for a special spa therapy at home. By jclyn from Chula Vista, CA Contest Contender!
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Has anyone used the Haan steam cleaner on their carpet or furniture for pet accidents? Please help, I need to get the smell out of both badly. By Littlebit09 from Red Oak, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf661208.tip.html
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Rate It: Usually every May I start to get moths in the bed room. On the ceiling, drapes, etc. Does anyone know how to stop this? It will be much appreciated. They're not in the closets. Thanks. Bevvie By Bevvie from Placerville, Ca Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf27161609.tip.html
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Rate It: I want to paint my dining/kitchen area. The area is small with a bay window. I have oak cabinets with a vintage maple stain. My counter top is mauve. I also have an oak table with hutch. The floors are also oak. I have a cased opening that leads to the living room. Colors in living room are mauve and burgundy, with accents of green. What color should I paint the walls in dining/kitchen area? The walls in living room is off white, which I'm leaving. Help! By rforbes from Franklinton, LA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf342905.tip.html
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Rate It: I have an outside shed that has one side covered with moss. Any suggestions about removing the moss without damaging the shingles? By Peggygram from Maryland Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf723090.tip.html
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Rate It: Painting Kitchen Counter Tiles Can you paint over existing ceramic tiles, one that is already painted by the manufactures. There is nothing wrong with backsplash in the kitchen, the tiles that are painted don't match the colour scheme. I would like to know if I could paint over them? The design, is to try to make it brighter. By cdnoldgirl from Ottawa, ON Canada Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf21544738.tip.html
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Rate It: Painting One Wall a Different Color Why paint one wall a darker or lighter color than the rest? By Dorothyonah from Minneapolis, MN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf26805664.tip.html
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Rate It: Ask Cable and Phone Representatives About Special Deals Any ideas on how to reduce monthly cable TV bill? Are there any other options? Thanks. By handyladi from Benton, AR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf602221.tip.html
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Rate It: Painting Walls to Coordinate With Bedding Has anyone got any ideas what colour I should paint my bedroom, that will go with pale pink bedding and curtains? I was looking at a very pale pink from Dulux (Blossom white), but am not sure if this will be too much pink. Any ideas? This is the bedding: By Maiseyg from UK Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf48887909.tip.html
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Rate It: I just bought a used car that has a really strong chemical smell in it. I think it is paint thinner that the former owner must have spilled in the car. I have had it detail cleaned, but the smell will not go away. Does anyone know how to clean up paint thinner or at least get rid of the fumes/smell? By Ashler from Utah Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf16336317.tip.html
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Rate It: Any ideas for a menu of purple foods for a rainbow tea? By starlac from Columbia, SC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf85940828.tip.html
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Rate It: My dog licks her paws till they crack and bleed. The vets don't seem to be able to help despite numerous drugs and lots of money. Any suggestions? By Terrill from Atlanta, GA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf33668418.tip.html
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Rate It: My Pyrenees had puppies outside and the flies are very bad. Is there anything I can put on them to stop these biting flies? By lingreen Editor's Note: Zinc and Zinc Oxide can pose a risk to your dog's health. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf483085.tip.html
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Rate It: My dog is getting very feisty. He jumps, snaps things out of my hand, nips at my fingers (which hurts), chews on wood and anything else, tears pillows off sofa, chewed my curtains, and even chewed some pictures. He is 6 months old. I love him and hate the idea of giving him away. That would not solve the problem. Any suggestions? Please help. By iruiz27 from TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf69621319.tip.html
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Rate It: Applying Envirotex Lite Over Venetian Plaster Can you put Envirotex Lite on top of Venetian Plaster from Home Depot? If so, can you still sand and polish the paint? By shaimacker Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf37332883.tip.html
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Rate It: Is there any type of neck exercises that will help tighten up my double chin? I am 51 years old but I have had a double-chin ever since I was a small child. I have always wanted a nice looking "flat" chin in profiles. Thanks! By Lisa from Lafayette, LA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf53864727.tip.html
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Rate It: My 4 indoor cats have become extremely fussy and are turning up their noses at every brand of food lately (can or pouch). I end up giving it to the outdoor cats, who gobble it all up. My indoor cats still eat the same brands of dry food but look for other food and then won't eat what they're given. What's up with these cats? By Bonnie V from Tuckerton, NJ Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf62075284.tip.html
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Rate It: The vinyl, circular handles on my purse have cracked badly. As a temporary fix before I can find another purse, I taped over the handles, then covered them with braided-type strips. I was able to conceal the beginning strip, but not the end strip. Any ideas on how I can "cauterize" the end strip so it doesn't unravel? I'm stumped and would appreciate suggestions from ThriftyFun friends! Thanks a bunch! By caseye from Plano, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf96541367.tip.html
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Rate It: About 3 years ago I had some chickens. Over the course of 2- 2 1/2 years all the chickens died for some reason. I would like to get chickens again. I have had a dog in the pen for the last 6 months or so. Is it safe to put chickens back into the pen, without the dog of course? What kind of cleaning should I do? It is all dirt on the ground. Thanks for any feedback. By Teresa from Franklin, VA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf40248679.tip.html
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Rate It: Getting Rid of Mare's Tail Weed How do you get rid off the weed Mare's Tail? By xxkelsxx from UK Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf15907557.tip.html
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Rate It: What Brand of Washing Machine Do You Have? What brand of washing machine do you have? By MrFixit from Jensen Beach, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf17549603.tip.html
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Rate It: Removing Fuel Odors on Clothing My elderly mother washed her clothes with a container that had fuel oil in it instead of laundry detergent. How do I get fuel oil smell out of her clothes? By vmccook from Tunkhannock, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf19743043.tip.html
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Rate It: Does Vinegar Work for Fleas and Cats? Hi everyone- I have been reading about using vinegar for fleas on dogs but what about cats? My daughter has 2 cats and they never go outside, but somehow fleas get in the house on clothes or something. Both cats are older and a little on the chubby side. Thanks. By cybergrannie from Florida Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf235775.tip.html
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Rate It: What is breed is my dog? I am not really sure. It looks like a german shepherd cross. Please help! By uzig
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Rate It: Does anyone have any idea what breed my Gary is? We adopted him from a shelter almost four years ago. They told us he was an Alaskan Malamute. From seeing pictures of one I think he must be a mixed breed. His tail is very fluffy and his color doesn't look like any Malamute I've seen. Any info is greatly appreciated. Thanks! By kilburn7 from Rockwood, TN
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Rate It: Can anyone tell what breed this dog may be? She is 2 months old. By berok69
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Rate It: Can I raise two Black Bottom hens together in a cage rather than letting them free-range roam? Or should I modify a large wooden refrigerator shipping crate with wire and screening, etc. with wheels to move the crate/coop around, in the crowded, grassy, filtered sun yard. I don't want to make too much of a fuss over them, but they are so beautiful, young hens, and lay great eggs, according to owner. Does the cost to raise them for your own family's organic egg needs justify the time and expense of food and maintenance and/or protection, etc.? My grandson is excited and I have already "ordered" two from a local farm, being ready to pickup on Tuesday. Do hens make as much noise as roosters that crow? I don't remember a thing about the two white "Easter" chickens I raised as a teen, and need to know what I'm getting into. Do they get diseases, illnesses easily? Are they really hard to clean up after? Any shortcuts? I have a newsletter coming about them started, but it says less than I hoped about them as "pets" and for beginners. Any basic help ASAP is appreciated. Thanks a bunch! God bless you. By lyndagayle62 from North Texas Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf87271567.tip.html
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Rate It: Does anyone have any experience with that phone service which uses an internet connection to work? It costs only a $20.00 annual fee. I think its called Smart Jack or Phone Jack. It sounds too good to be true! By Angolamom from Lewes, DE Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf31071682.tip.html
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Rate It: Name Ideas for a Cleaning Business I have been laid off from work and I am wanting to start a cleaning business. I am trying to come up with a catchy name for my business, but not sure what to use. My first name is Deb and so I thought I could use DEBS as the name, but I don't know what I could use to stand for each letter. Any ideas? By dstring57 from Dickson, TN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf86502935.tip.html
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Rate It: I can't get logged on, and am wondering how long to cook a homemade 8 cup crumbled crust apple pie and at what temperature? Does it need to be thawed first? Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73035899.tip.html
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Rate It: Would anyone know what type of saline they use for spider veins? By darlooney from Carriere, MS Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22484591.tip.html
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Rate It:
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:
My Frugal Life: Necessity is Still the Mother of Invention Frugality has been a necessity for all of my 48 years. Making money stretch as far as possible is what I have always needed to do but I enjoy it because I also believe it is best for my family and my world to consume less, waste less. Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf48543463.tip.html
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Rate It: The First Steps to Planning Your Vegetable Garden Some people have labeled them victory gardens. Others call them recession gardens, crisis gardens--even survival gardens. No matter what you call them, industry surveys are showing a double digit increase in the number of folks starting vegetable gardens this year. If you want to jump into the wonderful world of gardening, it's not too late. There is no better way to increase your health while stretching your food budget dollars! Here are a few important first steps to getting started.
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