Daily Thrifty Tips - June 16, 2009

Vol. 8, Num. 117, June 16, 2009 (Read It Online) The latest batch of contest winners will be announced tomorrow. Do you have any tips for organizing food in your pantry and making sure that nothing goes bad before it gets used? Share you ideas here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_contest.ldml Be sure to give a "thumbs up" to tips and photos that you like! Thanks for reading, The ThriftyFun Team 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: Wildlife: Cat Photos Fun Decorations for Your Fence Sandy (Shetland/Golden Retriever) Poo Bear (Bichon/Poodle) Today's Tips: Compost Shredded Paper Create Schedules For Summer Vacation Product Review: Lock & Lock Storage Containers Use Tea Tree Oil to Repel Head Lice Saving School Papers Softer Line Dried Clothing Joke of the Day New Requests: Pitbull Puppy That Bites Painting Laminate Countertops Kitchen Paint Color Advice What color should I paint my kitchen cabinets? Looking for the Book "Sugar Snow" Looking for Biz Detergent Becoming a Helpful Hints Columnist Cleaning an HVAC System Estimating Food Quantities for a Party Tile Floor and Countertops Don't Coordinate Repairing Spring Hook on Couch Removing Set-in Grease Stains Using Vinegar to Make a Pan Non-stick Coupons for Quick Shine Floor Finish Getting Rid of Waterbugs Gift Ideas for 20 Year Old Son Making Fabric Water Repellent Paris Themed Bedspread Ideas Ink on a Microfiber Vera Bradley Bag Setting Tie Dye Refrigerator Won't Shut Off Mosquito Repellent Wrist Band Rowenta Steam Iron is Leaking Water Dr. Leonard's Plastic Solar Sheets Reviews No Rider Patch Reviews Cleaning Strings on Blinds Ant Hills on Brick Patio Restoring Laminate Floors Mold Spots on a Bathroom Rug More Reading: Craft Project: Father's Day Remote Holder 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: Wildlife: Cat Photos I love watching and feeding the critters in the courtyard (which also has a creek) from my apartment balcony. Along with the squirrels and a huge variety of birds there is a neighbor kitty cat that hangs out there sometimes. Don't know his/her name or who the owner is but this little guy sure has a cute personality. Here's the kitty chilling on the creek bridge yesterday. By Deeli from Richland, WA Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf79183753.tip.html Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Fun Decorations for Your Fence Make your fence fun! I not only plant flowers and veggies but I decorate the fence to make gardening even more fun. The ducks I purchased at the Goodwill for $1.00 each and they are made of hard plastic (like PVC material). I drilled holes in them and hung them on the fence. I found the large wooden pig hidden behind a tree when I bought the house and I painted it pink, drilled holes in it, added an "eye" to his face and hung it on the fence. The wagons on the right hand side of the photo were purchased at garage sales for less than $10.00 apiece and I filled them with flowers that bloom all year. And my beautiful buttercups in the foreground are in full bloom. Gardens should not be work, they should be fun! By Florida Gal from Spring Hill FL Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf10816080.tip.html Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Sandy (Shetland/Golden Retriever) Sandy is a 13 year old Shetland/Golden Retriever mix. I got her at the Ozaukee County Humane Society, June 2007. She likes to play with her sock. I got my very best friend after my first husband left me. She was 11 months when I got her and wasn't even house-broken! Now she is just about the smartest dog I have ever known, and she is just as sweet as she is cute. By antiquefreeque from WISCONSIN Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf90744010.tip.html Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Poo Bear (Bichon/Poodle) Poo Bear is a 1 year old Bichon/Poodle. We got when we first moved to Texas. He likes to play with his brothers, Howard and Houston (Dog and cat). Poo Bear is the party guy. He looks funny and has a funny personality! By Daina from Houston, TX Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf60685908.tip.html Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | 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: Compost Shredded Paper When you empty out your paper shredder, put the shredded paper in the compost pile. By djxn from Colfax, CA Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf75643487.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Create Schedules For Summer Vacation Create a weekly and daily schedule to keep the kids in order during summer vacation! If you have school age kids and are home with them full time or part time this summer, creating a daily and weekly schedule will help to keep the kids busy and on task and will make things a little less stressful for mom. The kids are already used to following a schedule, so the transition will be easy. You can also plan a special weekly activity, such as library on Monday, cooking project on Tuesday, and so on. Find out what types of activities they would like to do this summer, and work them into your summer schedule. Good luck. :) Source: The Busy Mom's Guide to Summer Survival; http://www.thehouseholdplanner.com By Tashia from Luck, WI Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf80217589.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Product Review: Lock & Lock Storage Containers Product: Lock and Lock plastic food storage containers. Cost: Varies according to size. I bought one Lock and Lock container about a year ago to try it and see if it would help us. We have such a problem in summer here with humidity getting into our food and ruining it. Also food going stale. And also tiny tiny bugs getting into everything. Anyway, I looked at the Lock and Lock in the store. It has a good gasket seal around it and seemed to lock securely. So I brought it home and tried it with a sleeve of saltines. Normally within a week of opening a sleeve it's stale, and if I put it in any other container, it might last another week. But with the Lock and Lock I have crackers in there now that I opened 2 months ago and ate some last night and they were as crisp as if they were brand new! I have since bought many more containers of all sizes and keep just about everything in them. Sugar, creamer, tea bags, brown sugar (doesn't get hard either), noodles, raisins, cereal, just to name a few. My trucker husband even keeps some in his truck to keep some of his foods in. He especially likes them for his snacks because the container is easy for him to open and close while he's driving. And it keeps his food fresh longer even with the heat and humidity that he has to deal with out there on the road. I've noticed lately that another brand has come out with them too that are a little cheaper. I plan on trying those too. But I'm constantly buying them. I even keep my dog food and dog treats in them! By Cricketnc from Parkton, NC Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf69800639.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Use Tea Tree Oil to Repel Head Lice Once you get rid of head lice you should put 10 drops of tea tree oil in your shampoo and conditioner bottle, and you will never get it again. There is something in it the the lice do not like, and they will stay off your head. You can also do 10 drops of tea tree oil and some water in a small spray bottle and spray on hats, furniture, seats in your car, etc. I am a firm believer this really works! By Laura from Orestes, IN Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf25715705.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Saving School Papers I have 3 kids in school. It gets to be too much trying to save school work for them. What we do is this: Every August we decorate our own "school boxes". Each kid gets a box; the kind adult man's boots come in, each one decorates it how they want it. During the school year, they put their papers in there. We try to keep only test papers, reports, etc. If the box starts to get too full, we take pictures of them and toss/recycle them. This year we are going to put all the papers on poster board(s) and take a picture, and put it in their "year books". It eliminates so much paper clutter. Their yearbooks are photo albums of school only stuff, pictures of projects, report cards, etc. It makes them feel proud to have their stuff in with other photo albums. By moonseekerjade from Onset,Ma Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf212868.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Softer Line Dried Clothing If your clothes are stiff when line dried try this. Hang your clothes out in the late evening and leave over night. Bring them in as soon as they are dry in the morning. They will be so soft. By grannygirl from Lexington, N.C. Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf504295.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Dear Webby's Joke of the Day What's the difference between outlaws and in-laws? Outlaws are wanted. Read More Jokes Here: http://webby.com/humor New Requests: Pitbull Puppy That Bites I have a 9 week old Pit Bull Terrier named Chaos. She is the sweetest puppy, but the constant biting is starting to build up a wall between us. I also have a Black Lab named Jack, he's 2 and I did not have biting problems with him. Someone please help me, it's pure Chaos in my home. By gemini504 from Gretna, LA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf516351.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Painting Laminate Countertops I just finished the first coat of paint on my laminate countertops. When it dried there were bubbles. I know I can sand those out before the second coat, but what can I do to prevent them from appearing again with the second coat? Any help is greatly appreciated. By cherrell from Jackson, TN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf999197.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Kitchen Paint Color Advice I am adding a modern Cherry wood eating table with chairs to a kitchen that has black laminated cabinets, the floor is marble tile mauve and white, with dark green marble border, and, stop, enough colors. I want to paint walls, trim, and maybe the laminated cabinets as well, although I like the black cabinets. The house is old, thus the kitchen is more rectangular than square, with cabinets and stove on same long wall. The stove is black with. It is about 5 years old. There are huge windows facing East. Presently the walls are white and so is ceiling, with black trim. Help. By Mimosa5911 from Chula Vista, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf342905.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | What color should I paint my kitchen cabinets? Is brick red too bold to paint kitchen cabinets? My cabinets are old 60's wood style without molding, just a small lip on edges,(deep grain too, yuck). I would like to wash the lip with a butter color to add some interest. My appliances are white and wall color is a medium olive color. By NewWays02 from Lebanon, OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf72825790.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Looking for the Book "Sugar Snow" I am conducting an accelerated test for a book called "Sugar Snow". By bmjoodrey from Bethel, OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf21990278.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Looking for Biz Detergent Where can you buy Biz detergent? By lovegigi from Birmingham, AL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf18672564.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Becoming a Helpful Hints Columnist I would like to write tips on how to save money, for a newspaper or magazine. The tips are plain and practical, but may be able to help someone. Can you suggest how to get started? By Hope J. from Wilmington, NC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22946341.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Cleaning an HVAC System My heating and air conditioning unit, that blows the air to the house is very dirty. Can I clean it myself until I can afford to hire someone to do it? By justmyopn from Tulsa, OK Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf44717240.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Estimating Food Quantities for a Party How do you estimate food for a graduation party? By bennyman from Grand Rapids, MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf35469465.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Tile Floor and Countertops Don't Coordinate My hubby and I remodeled our kitchen and the ceramic tile floor and granite countertops don't really go together. Is there anything we can do without spending a lot of money? By nsecketa Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf37424204.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Repairing Spring Hook on Couch My heavy husband fell onto our circa 1970's sturdy, oak couch and flattened out a hook that holds one of the S curve springs taut. We'd like to get it back together, as it's a very solid couch and we really need to have it back in order. The hook is probably not repairable, as it was made to hold a very strong spring taut and so bending it back is likely to break it. What can we do to repair it as closely to it's original strength as possible? By nekocat from OR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf44915812.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Removing Set-in Grease Stains How do I get grease stains out, that are set in by the sun? By dirabor from Carribean Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf37037742.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Using Vinegar to Make a Pan Non-stick What is the method for making an ordinary pan, non-stick using vinegar? By lubbie from Rochester, NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf60268670.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Coupons for Quick Shine Floor Finish Are there any savings coupons available for Quick Shine floor finish? I use the product often. Thanks. Evalena G. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf64411492.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Getting Rid of Waterbugs How can I get rid of waterbugs? By PENNY63111 from Saint Louis, MO Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55166614.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Gift Ideas for 20 Year Old Son Any ideas for a gift for my 20 year old son? I would like ideas that are $100 or less. By kathleen48 from Scarborough, ME Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55081193.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Making Fabric Water Repellent How do you make fabric water repellent? I want to make the cotton/poly fabric of an outdoor canopy I made water repellent. Scotchgard is somewhat expensive for a spray can. Any help is appreciated. Thanks. By emdee Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf13283577.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Paris Themed Bedspread Ideas I am doing a Paris themed room. Does anyone have any bedspread ideas? By livetoshop from CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf36870473.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Ink on a Microfiber Vera Bradley Bag How do you get black ink out of a microfiber Vera Bradley? By sunsetlady82 from New Haven, IN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf60359002.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Setting Tie Dye How do you set tie dye? By slsmith512 from Angleton, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf53996600.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Refrigerator Won't Shut Off My refrigerator keeps running and won't shut off. It seems to be keeping everything at the right temperature, it just keeps running and running. By Linda :o) from Sarcoxie, MO Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf44723320.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Mosquito Repellent Wrist Band Has anyone tried the mosquito repellent you wear around your waist? The mosquitoes here are terrible and I'm tempted. It's a small unit they're selling for $8.99 at the grocery store with a replaceable repellent. I'm skeptical about whether it would keep mosquitoes from biting your ankles! Let me know if you have experience with it! By straightace from MD Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf57170245.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Rowenta Steam Iron is Leaking Water My Rowenta steam iron is leaking water. I really don't want to have to buy another one. Is there some way to fix this problem? I have misplaced any paperwork that I have had. I would appreciate help. Thank you. By bdon1 Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf42570597.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Dr. Leonard's Plastic Solar Sheets Reviews Does anyone know how good the Dr. Leonard's/Carol Wright Plastic Solar Panel Sheet for windows works? You can see out of them but not into them from the outside. It is supposed to save on energy bills in both the summer and wintertime. They are less than $5. I am thinking of putting them in the house this winter. By Robyn Fed from Hampton, TN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf10615217.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | No Rider Patch Reviews Has anyone ever tried No Rider patches? They're supposed to keep your shorts from riding up your thighs? I was wanting to know if they work or not before I buy them. Thanks. ndi By colts73 from IN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf10916957.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Cleaning Strings on Blinds How do I clean the cords on my blinds without taking the blinds down? By Settler from Springboro, OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf60705298.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Ant Hills on Brick Patio We have ant hills on our brick patio deck. A friend suggested pouring boiling hot water over them so the ants surface to the top. Do you know any other easy remedies? Anything that doesn't involve poison. By menopause from Suffield, CT Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf42133576.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Restoring Laminate Floors How do you make laminate floors look better? We have a lot of wear marks and damage from water? By keno40 from WI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf94038189.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Mold Spots on a Bathroom Rug The bathroom rug that was in front of our shower stall in the basement has black mold spots in one corner. What can I use to remove the mold spots? I just washed it with some detergent and bleach and it didn't take it out. Maybe I didn't use enough bleach? By Maryeileen from Brooklyn, OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf62971428.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | 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: Craft Project: Father's Day Remote Holder By Laurel Ehlers I helped my kids make these remote holders for Father's Day gifts. They are a fun gift that can be on display all year long and lend a "helping hand" to someone special! Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf52798583.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Interactive Coupon Swap! Swap coupons with other ThriftyFun.com users. Seed Swap! Swap seeds with other ThriftyFun.com users.