Volume Five, Number 17, January 26, 2006
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello,
A few readers pointed out that we didn't have an option on yesterday's poll for people who had NO credit card debt. So we added that choice to the poll. You can vote for our current poll (How much credit card debt do you have?) on the home page:
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If anyone has any ideas for future polls, feel free to send them in.
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Thanks for reading,
Susan
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Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Photos:
Today's Tips:
New Requests:
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Today's Photos
| Baby's First Christmas Tree Decorations
We had our first child in August. Christmas came the next day (it felt like it!) I had saved the baby shower cards and ribbon from the gifts. So I got creative like I always do and decorated my tree.
I cut the little pictures from the cards, the bunnies, bears, babies toys, blocks, etc. and glued them on the ribbons to make garland. I hung the babies first pair of shoes and toys on the tree as well. I made bows from crape ribbon.
By LAURIE STROMMEN from WEST COVINA, CA
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| Louie - English Springer Spaniel
Louie is 12 weeks old and is an English Springer Spaniel.
We got Louie from a breeder as a "Christmas left over."
Louie likes to attempt to dig to China at the beach. He is also already a great retriever.
Louie is very cuddly, sweet and friendly. He's comfortable sleeping on his back as you can see. He's a very special, sweet, funny dog.
By Shelz from San Jose
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| Chino (Barn Cat)
Chino is supposedly about a year old and is a plain old barn cat.
Chino was a gift from my boss, I was having a particularly stressful time at work, and he thought having Chino around would improve my humor.
Chino is so lazy....but he does enjoy pouncing on the dogs (A Rott puppy and lab mix) and chasing them around.
By GRETCHEN from Coulterville, IL
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Today's Tips
| Keeping Coffee Grounds out of the Pot
I've been having problems with coffee filters collapsing and letting grounds into the coffee pot, plus gunking up the filter basket. The following solution has worked well for me and I haven't had a problem since.
1. Take one clean, white papertowel and lay it flat on a clean, dry surface.
2. Place an appropriate measure of coffee in the center of the paper towel.
3. Spread out the coffee to the approximate size of the bottom of your filter basket.
4. Fold the side of the paper towel closest to you over the coffee, so the edge of the paper is at the edge of the grounds.
5. Turn the paper towel 90 degrees clockwise and repeat. Do this until all four sides are folded in.
You should end up with a square packet of coffee, approximately the size of your filter basket, with the grounds safely tucked inside. This can be placed, fold side down (otherwise the papertowel will unfold and let the grinds escape), in your drip coffee maker as usual.
These could also be made a week or two in advance and placed in a Tupperware container in your freezer for extra speedy coffee making in the morning.
By coffee2go from Tempe, AZ
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| Organizing the Bathroom with a Three Tier Basket
Originally, some time ago, I purchased a wire, 3 tier, hanging basket for my kitchen with the intent to put onions and potatoes in. Finding that it was too long for the spot I intended it to go, I found the perfect place that it would be needed in, my bathroom!
Since I was faced with the problem of an overwhelmed countertop filled with this and that, I decided to hang the basket to get rid of some of the clutter. One basket was used to combs and brushes, the second used for storing hair accessories such scrunchies, and the third for easy to grab bandaids, ointments, and such. I also used the chains that held each tier to clip on different sized hair clips and bows. All ready for use at a glance!
Since then I have incorporated the use of the wire baskets, which can be purchased at a local dollar store, throughout the home. They make great organizers in a youngsters bedroom too.
By Debbie from Mocksville, NC
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| Stopping the Burn from Spicy Food
If you cook something that is very hot and spicy I suggest that you serve it with some milk to drink with the meal. Milk products help stop the burn left in your mouth from hot, spicy food. Also, you could have ice cream or something like that for dessert!
By Robin from Washington, IA
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| Saving Money with Banking Online
A great way to save money is to work with a bank that has online banking. You can see where your money is going almost immediately. It was too easy before to swipe the debit card through the little machine. Now, I go to my computer, pull up my account and see the balance everyday. It really hits home how the little purchases add up quickly.
By BarwickJ from Ottumwa, IA
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| Keeping Punch Cold
Freeze Punch
The best way to keep party punch cool is to freeze some of the punch in ice-cube trays or a ring mould. Float the frozen punch in your bowl to keep it chilled but undiluted.
By Jazzlyn
Ziploc Bag
To keep a filled punch bowl cold; freeze a zip-loc bag with water; drop the frozen bag of water into the filled punch bowl; when the punch bowl is cold; remove; place zip-loc bag back into the freezer; add to the punch bowl when needed.
By WandaJo from Tennessee
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| Finding Phone Numbers without Directory Assistance
Calling directory assistance is very expensive and we live in a small town where we have very little access to the larger phone books for neighboring cities. Instead, I suggest visiting two sites on the internet to look up phone numbers. They are: www.superpages.com or www.switchboard.com. This way we can find the addresses and phone numbers we need for free!
By Robin from Washington, IA
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| Marriage Counseling Joke
"My husband won a trip for two to Hawaii," a woman stated to their marriage counselor. "He went twice."
By Stacey from Orem, UT
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| Angel Food Ministries
I was alerted to this ministry when my husband and I ran through a tough time and I still use it.
It is called Angel Food Ministries. Each month you can purchase a huge lot of various foods. The average cost is just under $3.00 a lb, but what you are getting costs far more if purchased in a supermarket.
For an additional $18.00 you can get a meat special. I got New York Cut for just under $3.50 a lb!
For $43.00 I fed my family for almost an entire month! I just needed to keep up on milk, bread, and eggs.
You can link to them at http://www.angelfoodministries.com . They were truly a Godsend to us!!! They helped us recover during a bad time.
By Fran Marie from Goose Creek SC
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| Bumper Sticker Joke
"Don't honk, I'm pedaling as fast as I can."
By Stacey from Orem, UT
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| For a Good Clean Face
Ohhhh this is a good one. For a good clean face, dip a cotton ball into olive oil and a bit of white sugar. Wash your face lightly. It peels off the dry skin, oils your skin, cleanses, and sugar is healing.
By Acesnanna from Idaho
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View Active Topics!
New Requests
| Getting a Job as a Longshoreman
I need some one to help me to go through the procedures of becoming a longshoreman. I tried to find out but I can't find any steps.
Please help me,
tashface from Newark, NJ
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| Too Many Rooms on the One Breaker
We recently bought a house and have since learned that the Kitchen, Living Room, Garage and our Bedroom along with half the dining room and the lights on the way down to the basement ALL run off of the same breaker. I do not know how to fix this or to tell what amp breakers to buy if I want to run the rooms on their own individual breakers. Is it ok to have this many rooms running off the same breaker?
We can't even run a space heater with anything but one room turned on or most of the outlets and lights throughout the house go off. I also had an outlet in our 2nd bedroom stop working completely after running a space heater off of it. Please tell me what I can do to fix these problems.
Thanks!
Tawni from Indianapolis, IN
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| Bad Odors When Our Furnace Turns On
Can someone help? We bought an older home that once housed 3 small boys. Now, whenever my furnace kicks on, there is a terrible urine odor in my bathroom. How do I get rid of this? I have tried bleach, pine and just about everything else. I would appreciate any suggestions.
Pam from WI
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| Decorating With Indian Decor
I want to decorate my bedroom in an Indian theme (as in Asian Indian), could somebody please give me ideas on the paint color for the walls, bedding and decor ideas?
Thanks,
Jstdecor from Denver, CO
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| Isopropyl Alcohol on Stain Wood
How do I get out a small stain left by isopropyl alcohol on my wood table?
John from Florida
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| Remedies for Hyperpigmentation
I have brown spots on my face. It is hyperpigmentation. Not even prescription creams have worked. Please help with any ideas.
NAN from CA
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| Nascar Birthday Party
I am throwing my first party and it's for a 40th Birthday for a male. I need Ideas that relate to Nascar and his driver which is #17. I have included children since we have a large back yard. We are going to have a bouncy race car for the 6 year olds. Any more ideas would be good. I would like to have keg of beer but don't if that is the cheapest way to go or how to get one. I really would like it to be fun. It will take place in May, 2006. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Heidi from Michigan
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| Removing the Paint Smell from a Newly Painted Room
I just finished painting my son's bathroom and was wondering if there was anyway to expedite the removal of the paint smell? I tried a bowl of vinegar but that didn't help. I've been running the air cleaner to help expedite. It's kind of tough to leave the windows open due to it being frigid out this time of year.
Thanks!
Kelly from Bensalem, PA
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| Clotted Cream Recipe
Does anyone have a recipe for "Clotted Cream"? It is used to spread on scones.
Thanking you in advance,
Karifl from Florida
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| Stained Tupperware
How do you clean stained plastic (aka tupperware) containers? They were once clear but now are beige or were a particular color and now have a tinge to that color.
:-)
Hook Family from USA
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| Baked Rigatoni with Sausage
Years ago, i had a recipe for Baked Rigatoni with Sausage. I am not sure if it was on the back of a jar of sauce or where I got the recipe. It was very easy to prepare using a jar of spaghetti sauce. I cannot locate the recipe. Does anyone have a recipe like this? All replies are appreciated.
Thanks,
P.J. from Delaware
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| Paying for a Surprise Birthday Party Without My Husband Noticing
I need help. I am going to throw my husband a surprise 30th birthday. I am going to hire a DJ, we have joint accounts. How do I give the DJ a deposit without him noticing and how can I pay for any of the party supplies without him noticing? Any creative ideas on how to do that?
Nicole from Santa Rosa, CA
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