Daily Thrifty Tips - July 16, 2007

Volume Six, Number 135, July 16, 2007 (Read It Online) I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Here are the contest winners for the the week before last. It was an abbreviated week due to the 4th of July holiday but we still received some great entries. Thank you to everyone that tool time to post something. Tip Contest Winners Thrifty Wedding at Home By Nella from MN Camp Cooking Tips By Babbie from LemonGrove, CA Photo Contest Winner Oriole in My Garden By Peggy from Cortland, Oh 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: Book Angels Moe The Cat Matchbox Doll Rose Breasted Grosbeak Bringing the Bargain Home Today's Tips: Ketchup For Cleaning Copper Pots Buy Mulch In Bulk From Landscapers Pour Off Oil From Bottled Salad Dressings Using Lemons to Clean Your Microwave Refilling Spice Jars Cutting Down on Lint and Pet Hair in Laundry Shredding Soft Cheese No More Soggy Peanut Butter and Jelly Shop for Greeting Cards at Thrift Stores New Requests: Pool Party Food Ideas End of Year Gifts for Cheerleaders Blister Beetles on Tomato Plants Keeping Cats Out of a Pond Peanut Butter Swirl Chocolate Fudge Recipe Repainting Plaster Walls Where Can I Find A Round Rubber Jar Opener Getting Long Doilies To Lay Flat Diapers For Very Little Dogs Futuristic Decorating Ideas Peroxide Stain from on Carpet Smelly Faucet or Pipes Cleaning Dog Drool Spots Buying Dried Deer Blood in Ontario, Canada Cat With Fleas Pancetta Wrapped Around Mozzarella Stinky Tevas Dogs and Cats Getting Under a Mobile Home Throwing a Good Slumber Party Planting After Using Ant Poison Color Bled on a Sweater Tips for Dry Skin 30th Birthday Party Ideas Dog Pee Stain on Carpet Recipes Using Zucchini More Reading: Gerber Announces Nationwide Voluntary Recall of Gerber ORGANIC Rice and Gerber ORGANIC Oatmeal 8 Ounce Cereals (Choking Hazard) Urgent Voluntarily Nationwide Recall of DentFresh Fluoride Mint Toothpaste 9 oz (255g) Old Fashioned Soda Fountain Treats (Part 2 - Shakes and Malts) Saving Money on Weddings Uses for Scrap Fabrics 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: Book Angels First of all I would like to just say I love making these for any occasion. They are cheap and easy to make and best of all its a great way to recycle all those hard cover books you don't read anymore or the ones you can get at a yard sale for dirt cheap. View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf26995894.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Moe The Cat Moe is nine years old. I adopted him from a friend that was moving out of the country. He just sleeps all day. I did not see him the first two weeks I had him. He only came out to eat or use the litter box, but now he loves to sit in my lap. By Patricia from North Carolina Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf42223797.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Matchbox Doll This is a matchbox doll I like to make. By Stormy from Vacaville, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf42674596.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Rose Breasted Grosbeak A new bird in the neighborhood: Rose Breasted Grosbeak. By Peggy from Cortland, OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf39415734.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Bringing the Bargain Home Frugal living means doing what you can to get that bargain home! By Laura-Lee from Ontario, Canada Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf59123952.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: Ketchup For Cleaning Copper Pots A quick and easy way to clean copper-bottomed pans is ketchup. Rub over the copper and watch it do its work! If you have tough spots, add a little salt for scrubbing. By Camilla from Atchison, KS Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf80770823.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Buy Mulch In Bulk From Landscapers If you have a large area to mulch, check with local landscaping companies about buying mulch in bulk. We did this year for a play area we made for our kids. It was $40 for a bobcat scoop. We got three truckloads, and it made the landscaping project significantly cheaper than if we had hired it out or bought bags of mulch. By Camilla from Atchison, KS Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf97665164.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Pour Off Oil From Bottled Salad Dressings We've got a pal who's a nurse. She pours off the oil that gathers at the top of bottled Italian dressing, before using the rest on her salads. She says number 1, it's healthier for you, not clogging your arteries. Number 2, your salad will have more flavor. You won't be able to pour off all the oil, not to worry about that. Happy Healthier Eating! By Terri H. from NV Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf39077898.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Using Lemons to Clean Your Microwave Sometimes we end up with tough baked on food stuck to the walls, ceiling and floor of our microwave, so hard that you almost need a chisel to get it off. Try this next time. Wedge a whole lemon and place in a glass or microwave safe bowl. Half cover with water, place in microwave and cook on high for about 5 minutes. Let sit for an hour or two. When you come back you will find that you can wipe off that hard baked on guck so much easier. It works even better than those silly little lemon scented pads that you buy to do the same job. All safe and natural, no chemicals or harsh fumes and next to no scrubbing if any. By Sheraone from Ontario Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf88103029.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Refilling Spice Jars Save a bundle the next time you buy spices. Instead of reaching for the Spice Islands or any other brands that put spices in a jar, shop at stores that sell spices in bulk. Some Kroger stores feature bulk spices; so do Food for Less stores. Savings? How about 400% less than the prepackaged spices. And it's great fun to look at and sniff the many spices. Just don't sneeze! Happy Savings! By Jerry Martin Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf830074.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Cutting Down on Lint and Pet Hair in Laundry This really helps cut down on lint and pet hair on clothes! Get some "netting" at a sewing shop, I found mine in the wedding section. Cut it into 6x6 inch squares, and toss one in the washer and a fresh one in the dryer, and bingo... it catches pet hair and lint By Diana Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf772311.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Shredding Soft Cheese Shred soft cheese with ease, put the block of cheese in the freezer for 20 minutes before shredding. Your cheese will shred much easier! By Bobbie Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf200685.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print No More Soggy Peanut Butter and Jelly When making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for your toddler, my sons favorite, put the peanut butter on both slices of bread and then put the jelly in the middle. That way the bread doesn't get soggy! D. Sposato Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf248178.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Shop for Greeting Cards at Thrift Stores Greeting cards have gotten so expensive and my husband has a large family and lots of birthday cards to send out. So I look for nice birthday cards at thrift shops, when they have them. Just got a whole bunch at $.50 each - a savings of at least $2-3 per card! (It also helps to have them on hand, so you can send them out/give them out in a jiffy.) By pamphyila from Los Angeles Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf770523.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: Pool Party Food Ideas I need some ideas on food and snacks for my pool party. It's Hawaiian themed. Decorating, too. Thanks! Peri from Los Angeles, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf94891056.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print End of Year Gifts for Cheerleaders I am looking for ideas for cheerleading end of the year gifts. Mlucian from MD Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf28322228.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Blister Beetles on Tomato Plants For the second year we are having a problem with blister beetles on our tomato plants. Last year they were pretty much confined to the tomatoes and we treated with pesticides. This year they seem to have spread--I just saw them on plants on the other side of the house. They are eating the leaves, leaving the veins. I forgot to plant marigolds, and now I wish I had. I would like to treat the beetles organically this year if possible. What are some good, fairly inexpensive, organic, nontoxic pesticides I can use? Hardiness Zone: 6a Camilla North from Atchison, KS Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf67641562.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Keeping Cats Out of a Pond How can I keep my cats and neighbor cats out of my pond? They are eating my fish and frogs. Thank you, Noreen from Dover, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf50405691.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Peanut Butter Swirl Chocolate Fudge Recipe I'm looking for a recipe for chocolate fudge with peanut butter swirl. Deborah from Cape Coral, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf68958858.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Repainting Plaster Walls I have a house that was built in the 1950's and have plaster walls. I am taking down the wall paper in my kitchen and I don't know what do you next. I would like to paint it but do I need to prime it first? Anita from Chattanooga,TN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf28033664.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Where Can I Find A Round Rubber Jar Opener Hi, I am trying to find a jar opener. It's usually round, rubbery with a slight texture to it. It's usually given as a give-a-way from businesses. You hold it in your hand as you are attempting to open a tight jar lid. I threw one out after having for years and can not seem to locate them anywhere. Any suggestions? I googled "jar openers" and terms along those lines but had no luck. Thanks guys! :o) Holly from GA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf46928286.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Getting Long Doilies To Lay Flat I have just finished a two day project, washing and starching then ironing the many doilies I use through our home. Some are antique from my grandmother and newer ones (10 years old) from my aunt. I had a difficult time with one long crocheted runner, it is uneven now and does not lay flat. Short of redoing and trying to get it straighter, what can I do? I do not have a doily stretcher-, not sure if they make such things anymore. This runner is about 50 years old, a favorite and on our bedroom dresser. It is 3 feet long, by 14 inches wide. Sure would like to get it straight again! Any ideas? Pat from La Crescent MN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf27426350.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Diapers For Very Little Dogs I have a baby Chihuahua (male) that is not even 1 lb but too young to potty train right now. I would like to get a diaper that would fit him, but not even the xxxsmall diaper for dogs under 2lbs is small enough. Any ideas on how I can make or obtain such a thing? Bree from Katy, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf63862065.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Futuristic Decorating Ideas I am on a tight budget, but I really want to give my home a makeover. I was watching a movie (The Glass House) and loved their house. I kind of wanted to redecorate my furniture, and repaint, etc to make it look more retro style or modern/contemporary look. So I went on the internet and I found the cool retro furniture I wanted, but I had no clue that it goes for so much. Is there any way that I can make or redo the furniture i have now to look more retro (futuristic)? Example: I saw a really cool chair, they call it a bubble chair I think. It hangs from the ceiling or you can buy them to sit on the floor but it is literally a plastic bubble with a pillow to sit in. I also saw a fish tank coffee table. Just weird things like that. Something that people will look at and say "what in the heck is that?" Please help me. THANKS! Bree from Katy, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf11469983.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Peroxide Stain from on Carpet I have a small "bleached" spot from peroxide on my carpet, the carpet is tan and brand new; I don't know what to do. Any suggestions? Thanks, Tammy from Japan Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf76349367.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Smelly Faucet or Pipes I recently moved into a 75 year old home, and noticed that the upstairs bathroom sink smells. It seems after I wash my hands they smell fishy, and yes the water has an odor. I did get a building inspection and it was never pointed out... maybe the guy didn't feel the need to wash his hands. I do have the "J" pipe under the sink, it looks like PVC pipe, and I have cleaned my filter in the faucet. I do not notice this smell anywhere else in the house. Has anyone ran into this in their homes? Erin from St. Louis, MO Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf39508282.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Cleaning Dog Drool Spots Our dog is a boxer (mostly) and drools. I can't keep up with just wiping up the spots. How can I really clean the spots and the whole floor a couple of times a week? Cathy from Columbus OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf75025438.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Buying Dried Deer Blood in Ontario, Canada Any one know where I can purchase dried deer blood for pest control in Ontario Canada? Phil from Bolsover, Canada Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf83094537.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Cat With Fleas I have two small dogs and a very hairy cat. The cat is and always has been flea ridden. I take him to the vet but they are right back. Any help? I've bought all the Frontline and other stuff, it hasn't worked. How bout 20 mule team borax? The cat has never gone out but to go to vet. The dogs are both indoors also. PEACHEE from BYRON, GA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf80299319.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Pancetta Wrapped Around Mozzarella While was at the grocery store, I saw slices of raw pancetta wrapped around slices of mozzarella. The whole thing was about the size of a fist and tightly wrapped in plastic (like saran wrap). Forgot to write the name of it down. What is it? P.S. Pancetta is Italian bacon, cured but not smoked. Holly from Richardson, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf26423781.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Stinky Tevas Does anyone have a remedy for cleaning stinky Tevas? I have tried dishsoap and water but they just smell worse. Thanks, Sandy from AZ Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf30271271.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Dogs and Cats Getting Under a Mobile Home I have dogs and my neighbors cats are getting in my yard and under my house (mobile home). My dogs get under there and wreak havoc trying to get to them. I'm afraid they will rip my duct work and other wiring or even get hurt. I heard to use moth balls, but does this work and will my dogs try to eat them? I would like a home remedy please. Tina from Winter Haven, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf15146095.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Throwing a Good Slumber Party How do I throw a good slumber party? T'era from Riverside,CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf64495755.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Planting After Using Ant Poison I have a very large ant hill (approx 3' wide by 2'deep and quite high) in perennial plant area of my garden. I have sprayed poison and have dusted the area with ant poison. Do I have to wait for the ants to die or move before planting in the ant mound with new perennials? Will the poison affect the growth of the new plants?? thank you Hardiness Zone: 5a Barbara from Deerfield, Illinois Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf95839074.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Color Bled on a Sweater I accidentally washed a light blue sweater with a red sports bra, (sweater made of silk, nylon and spandex) and the sweater got stained. What can I use to take the stains out? Franny from Reno, Nevada Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf74777329.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Tips for Dry Skin I am looking for tips for dealing with dry skin. Franshaun Jones from Chicago, IL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf54052187.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print 30th Birthday Party Ideas My husband will be turning 30 on March 17th 2008. I know I am early in trying to plan a party but I would like some suggestion for a theme. It is also St. Patrick's day, but that is old as it's always been St. Patrick's day on his birthday. Laura from Muskegon, MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf997587.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Dog Pee Stain on Carpet My little dog decided to pee in a corner of the room on my beige rug that I didn't catch so the stain set. It's yellow and its smells. I tried store bought cleaners like resolve and others but the stain is still there and it still smells. Can anyone out there suggest anything to get this stain out and help the smell in the rug? Any help will be greatly appreciated! Adele from Belford, New Jersey Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf253919.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Recipes Using Zucchini I am looking for zucchini recipes. Leah from London, OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf436327.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: Gerber Announces Nationwide Voluntary Recall of Gerber ORGANIC Rice and Gerber ORGANIC Oatmeal 8 Ounce Cereals (Choking Hazard) Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf52205559.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Urgent Voluntarily Nationwide Recall of DentFresh Fluoride Mint Toothpaste 9 oz (255g) Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf80920662.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Old Fashioned Soda Fountain Treats (Part 2 - Shakes and Malts) To soften ice cream, place container in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes OR until easy to scoop. Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf79544838.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Saving Money on Weddings You don't have to spend a fortune to have a wonderful wedding. Here are tips from the ThriftyFun community for saving money on wedding costs. What advice can you add? Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf361058.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Uses for Scrap Fabrics Ideas from the ThriftyFun community on what to do with small ends of yard goods after using for crafts. Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf000778.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.