Daily Thrifty Tips - October 30, 2009

Vol. 8, Num. 213, October 30, 2009 (Read It Online) Be sure to give a "thumbs up" to tips and photos that you like. Your ratings are used to pick contest winners. 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: Halloween: Little Scarecrow Costume Halloween: Bubble Gum Machine Costume Halloween: Hermit Crab Costume Lucifer Kane (Rottweiler) Kricket (Pomeranian) Today's Tips: Teach Your Children the Value of Money Freshen Sheets Every Morning Link: Free Low Income Cell Phone Mix Cheap Wine With Kool Aid Making Junk Mail Useful Decorate Presents With Useful Items Removing Grease Stains from Clothing Cleaning Your Microwave Joke of the Day New Requests: Scratch Resistant Coating Peeling Off Lenses Where Can I Buy Washing Soda? Can't Remember The Name of an Old Horror Movie Painting Kitchen with Cherry Cabinets and Dark Granite Countertops Gnats or Bedbugs Hiring a PHP Programmer Opening a Singer Magic Steam Press 7 What Breed is My Dog? Gift Ideas for Operation Christmas Child Painting Kitchen Cabinets to Coordinate with Green-Yellow Walls What Breed is My Dog? Decorating a White Bathroom What Breed is My Dog? What Are These Chairs? Storing Window Blind Cords Snobowl Discolored Stainless Steel Sink Lip Gloss Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas Recommendations for Wireless Driveway Alarm Reupholstering Dining Room Chairs Repairing Bathroom Wall More Reading: Standard Time - Fall Back This Sunday Pumpkin Serving Bowls My Frugal Life: Learning From a Frugal Mother 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: Halloween: Little Scarecrow Costume This is "Our Little Scarecrow" Tyler. His costume is homemade by me, his mommy. I took an old pair of overalls, some scrap material and a little creativity. My secret weapon was using an old hula skirt as his straw hair, stuffing, etc. We used an old wagon we had in the garage, added some real hay, gourds, corn, and a store bought girl scarecrow. The only items I didn't have around the house was the flannel shirt. I picked up the shirt and the straw hat at a second hand store, together they cost me about $3.50. I used a hot glue gun to attach the hula skirt to the hat and inside the cuffs of the pants and shirt. I added a few patches of material and then my adorable 2-year old. Wow it was an awesome costume. This costume was very inexpensive and a whole lot of fun to make. I cant wait to see what we can come up with next year. I am so proud of our teamwork! By Tonya from Lake Butler, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf67629839.tip.html Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Halloween: Bubble Gum Machine Costume Materials 1 clear plastic trash / storage bag lots of small colored balls red pants and white shirt red poster board for red hat wide tape Instructions Dress child in clothes. Cut arm and neck holes in bag. Put bag on the child as a shirt. Tape the bottom opening tight around their waist. Fill the bag with the balls from neck opening. Tape closed. Give child a gift bag to carry loot in. Source: friend By Randa from San Marcos Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf84836041.tip.html Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Halloween: Hermit Crab Costume Materials: red sweatshirt 1/2 yard red felt small bag polyfill red hat 2 white pom poms small piece black felt paper bag Instructions: Cut 8 - 3 1/4 inch strips of red felt, the length of the child's arms. Taper at ends, sew two pieces together to make tubes and stuff. There should be 4 arms total, two for each side. Stitch in 3 joints in each arm Sew the arms onto the sweatshirt under and behind the sleeves. Use thread to attach arms to sleeves, the arms should all move together. Cut mittens in the shape of large claws, sew and stuff just as arms, leaving room for hands to fit in. Antennas/Eye Stalks: Make small tubes from felt, stuff, hot glue in pom at end and pupil onto pom. Stitch onto hat. Shell: Have child decorate an inside out paper bag like a shell, fold creases into it to look like a shell spiral. By Debi from Beaufort, SC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf42172875.tip.html Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Lucifer Kane (Rottweiler) Lucifer Kane is 3 years old and a Rottweiler. I bought him from Petland. For fun, he likes to chew bones, smell the flowers, snuggle, and go for rides in the car! He's my best friend and a wonderful big brother to our puppy, Jack Daniels! By Brandy from McHenry, IL Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf34970356.tip.html Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Kricket (Pomeranian) Kricket is 10 months old and a Pomeranian. I wanted a Pom since I was 10 years old, finally got one! He loves his walks. He will pick up a sea shell and carry it with him all over the beach By Cancun92 from Vancouver, WA Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf54054151.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: Teach Your Children the Value of Money As a retired school teacher, I saw many teenagers who had no idea of the value of money. They felt they should be given whatever they wanted. They also had trouble taking responsibility. Learning responsibility and money management must begin at home. Small children should be given small tasks which need to be done daily. As they get older, the tasks become chores for which they should receive an allowance. As with any other job, if the work is not completed, they should not receive their pay. As soon as the child gets a job, a portion of that salary should be paid to the parents as "rent." The responsibility of paying rent is a very important one. As a parent, we don't want to take the money away from our children, but you can "take it without taking it." Don't let your child know you have done this, but set up a savings account in their name. Put their "rent" money into this savings account. If you collect the rent regularly, this savings account can become a down payment on a car, a college graduation gift, a wedding present. Whatever the occasion, the lessons of responsibility and saving money have both been taught in a way that paid off. By Clynn from Inglis, FL Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf34351944.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Freshen Sheets Every Morning Truth be told, I change my bedsheets once a week. Truth be told also, I love the smell of clean bed linens and the smell of baby powder. When I make up the bed every morning, I sprinkle baby powder over the bottom sheet and a little on the pillow cases. It's nice climbing into a fresh smelling bed. P.S. I bought a body mist recently that was too fruity smelling to my personal taste (I smelled like a raspberry), so I used the mist on my bedsheets. That was nice too and used up the product that would otherwise have sat on the shelf for ages. By Mlina from Amherstburg, ON Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf70623617.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Link: Free Low Income Cell Phone You can get a cell phone for absolutely nothing. Go to to SafeLink Wireless It is for low income people, every month you get 80 free minutes.There is no catch, no hidden charges. If you lose the phone, they will send you another one for free. I just got my replacement phone. Source: A friend By moonseekerjade from Onset, MA Editor's Note: Not available in all states yet. Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf56158541.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Mix Cheap Wine With Kool Aid Now that my child is in college we have had to cut back on expenses. Mixing cheap wine with Kool Aid (even the big gallons that only cost about $15.00) taste really good. I only drink red wine, so I am not sure about whites. I get the best results by keeping them both cold and easily mixing one glass at a time. Also, I use sugar-free, store brand Kool Aid, and save more money plus lots of calories! By Judy from Memphis, TN Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf23991730.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Making Junk Mail Useful I cut the envelope open with a letter opener (unless the flap can easily be opened without cutting). Uses: store coupons, to do lists, store receipts. If it has see through window on back, with plastic then when I am done with the envelope, I cut that out with border to use for crafts. Put 2 back to back and put a fortune cookie paper inside. Glue 3 sides then fill with confetti or glitter. Seal 4th side = gift tag. Use the inside and outside to write lists, etc. If it has flap reuse for mailing or see above. The insides: find and cut out my address-use as return label on mailings with glue stick. There is normally an extra envelope or 2 use them! Colorful paper gets saved for crafts; confetti, paper punches and shredded for packaging gifts. If there is plain paper with a blank side it gets saved for lists or writing on. Any images that can be saved for collage get saved, too. If you have to store anything fragile save the unusable paper and scrunch for protection. Anything else unusable gets recycled! By Caeridwen from Kent, Ohio Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf93961660.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Decorate Presents With Useful Items When I wrap presents, I don't use bows. For boys, I use a matchbox car, small ball, etc.; for girls I use hair accessories, pencils, etc. For adults, I use a tea light candle, a hair accessory, screw driver, or anything I think will be useful or appreciated by the recipient. Use your imagination. It may cost me a few cents more, but the money is well spent as there is no wasted money on bows that get thrown away and the person is getting 2 presents in one. By Eiw from Lancaster, PA Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf26009747.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Removing Grease Stains from Clothing I have a purple top 100 percent cotton and after washing it it found grease stains on it. I dabbed Fairy washing liquid onto the spots of grease allowed it to soak for about and hour, washed as normal in the washing machine and the grease vanished. I was delighted. So try it if you have grease stains on your clothing even if your item of clothing was washed before treating it. Source: I was told in my local dry cleaners. By Jillian from Tralee, Kerry, Ireland Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf636080.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Cleaning Your Microwave This is a great tip on how to clean your microwave without using chemicals. I found it on an online blog. So I tried it. And here are the results! At first I was a little ashamed of how gross the inside of my microwave really was but it's sparkling now, so no judging me. The recipe was pretty simple: 1 cup water 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or a few lemon slices for scent Cook water in microwave until it boils for at least 30 seconds. For me that's about 4 minutes. Leave in microwave for about 15 minutes. Remove boiling water and wipe down ceiling of walls and microwave. Everything should wipe right off with minimal scrubbing. Go try it! I know your microwave looks a little like mine, right? Source: Grace For Gayle By LovingLynden from Lynden, WA Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf686762.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Dear Webby's Joke of the Day A third grade teacher asked her class: "I'd like you to be very quiet today. I've got a dreadful headache." "Excuse me," said Little Johnny, "why don't you do what my mom does when she has a hangover?" "What's that?" asked the teacher. "She sends us outside to play." Read More Jokes Here: http://webby.com/humor New Requests: Scratch Resistant Coating Peeling Off Lenses My glasses have the scratch resistant coating on them which has slowly been peeling, along the outer edges of the lenses, kind of like a double ring outline, and along the center of the right lens. I took the glasses in to the store where I bought the lenses and have yet to hear back as to whether or not the company will repair at no cost. I just purchased the lenses back in May. The optician did mention that if the company didn't warrant the repair she could fix the lenses at a cost of $40.00. This is disgusting and unethical in my opinion. In the meantime, I've tried the toothpaste and acetone methods suggested to no success. Any other suggestions to get this coating removed from my lenses? Can you imagine how tacky my Chanel glasses look with this nasty ring around my lens and down the center? Thanks for the feedback. By Bonnie from TC, MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf88350448.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Where Can I Buy Washing Soda? Where can I find washing soda? By Robert from Dudley,NC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf71947321.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Can't Remember The Name of an Old Horror Movie Does anyone know the name of an old scary movie (black and white) that had a diving suit that was lying in the corner of a darkened room and begins to inflate all by itself. My husband saw the movie as a child and it frightened him to death. I would like to find the movie as a gift to him. The movie would probably been produced in the 1950's. Please help. Thank you. By Movie Buff from OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf568623.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Painting Kitchen with Cherry Cabinets and Dark Granite Countertops I would like some ideas on what wall paint color to use a in kitchen with cherry cabinets and Santa Cecilia dark granite countertop. By Shirley from TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf70242163.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Gnats or Bedbugs I need to know if I have gnats. That's what they look like, but then someone said could they be bedbugs. I have only seen them in my bathroom nowhere else. They seem to jump, but not really fly. Does that make them not gnats? Do gnats look anything like a bedbug? I have seen gnats and this is what they appear to be to me and we did recently throw out some over ripe apples, but they were in the kitchen. We also had a kitty litter box in our bathroom recently for our new kitten. We have since moved kitty and litter box to the garage outside. Please someone tell me what to do. I hate any kind of bug. By Lin from Sandstone, MN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55421856.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Hiring a PHP Programmer What is the best company to hire to provide PHP programing services for continuous outsourcing work? By Charlene Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf92282932.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Opening a Singer Magic Steam Press 7 How do I open a Singer Magic Steam Press 7? By Louis from SA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf64916206.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | What Breed is My Dog? Can anyone tell me what breed my dog might be? We were told she was a boxer when we bought her as a puppy, but now that she is 2 years old, she really looks like a mix. By nb from NC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf96037494.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Gift Ideas for Operation Christmas Child I need thrifty ideas for Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts for 10-14 year olds. Operation Christmas Child is an outreach by Samaritan's Purse in which shoeboxes are filled with gifts and then shipped to children in need (due to poverty, disaster, or war) around the world. I would like to do several boxes, and need affordable ideas for preteen and teenage children, both male and female. I have an easier time thinking of ideas for younger children, but want to provide a Christmas gift for older children as well, children who have perhaps never received a Christmas gift. The more thrifty the ideas are, the more boxes we will be able to send. Suggested items are: toys, school or craft supplies, hygiene items, clothing items like hats or socks, and hard candies and gum. I need some specific inspiration for what this age group of 10-14 years old might need or enjoy (that will fit into a shoebox). No other foods besides hard candy, mints or gum can be sent, no toy guns, knives, or military figures, no liquids or medicines, and of course no breakable things should be sent. I appreciate any suggestions for this, and encourage others to participate as well! By Shawna from Paris, TN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf71291803.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Painting Kitchen Cabinets to Coordinate with Green-Yellow Walls What color should i paint my kitchen cabinets? They are currently a honey stained real wood. But heres the thing, I just painted the walls a green chardonnay it's a kind of olive green with a yellow tinge. I am looking at it now and I am really scared. I am wanting to do this, but not sure which route to take. I think chocolate brown cupboards would be nice. Help please and thank you. Just remember you don't have to like it. By Michelle R Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf57229815.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | What Breed is My Dog? What breed is my dog? She is about 11 months old now, 25 pounds with a curly tail and a couple spots on her tongue. She has the brown/black min pin markings, but what is she mixed with? By Christine from FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf18531019.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Decorating a White Bathroom I need help with decorations with my bathroom. I have a white sink, frames, and tub. The walls are antique white and the counter top is black with speckles of antique white. Maybe some picture ideas? Any ideas will help. Thank you. By Sally from Buffalo, NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf46012138.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | What Breed is My Dog? Can anyone help me figure out what breed my rescue dog is? Maybe a Rottie mix. By hehehe1117 from OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf31629394.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | What Are These Chairs? Does anyone know what type of chairs these are? I want to get covers for them but I am not sure what style they are. By Tammy from MN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf86341660.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Storing Window Blind Cords Does anyone have a clever way to store pull cords on window blinds? They are driving me nuts. By Ann from Tipp City, OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf10905427.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Snobowl Discolored Stainless Steel Sink I poured Snobowl on my stainless steel sink. Now it's all tarnished. What can I use to shine it back up? By Ann from Tipp City, OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf42634984.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Lip Gloss What does it mean that lip gloss contains pig fat? Can you tell me? By Shireen from JBP Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf711948.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas Okay, so like most people out there we are a little short on holiday money this year. We want to make homemade presents that are inexpensive and somewhat easy. I have a lot of people to make gifts for, so I need several ideas. I am at a loss. I just don't know what would be good gift ideas. Ages range from 2 - 75. By Rachael Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf849954.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Recommendations for Wireless Driveway Alarm I am thinking about using a wireless driveway alarm system. I'd like to know if anyone has had any experienced using one and I looking for recommendations. Thank you. By Karen from Charleston, SC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf28804339.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Reupholstering Dining Room Chairs Any help on reupholstering dinning chairs, would be appreciated. By Don from Glendale, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf430480.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Repairing Bathroom Wall I have an area right next to the shower tile on the drywall that is very damaged and wet with mold and mildew. Can this spread behind the shower tile wall? And what can I do to remedy this problem? Thanks for any help. By Linda Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf422820.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: Standard Time - Fall Back This Sunday It's time to change our clocks back one hour on Sunday, November 2, 2009. Clocks should be moved back Sunday morning at 2 AM, making it now 1 AM. This is true in most states in the U.S. Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf32959595.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Pumpkin Serving Bowls Look for a picture of a pumpkin leaf and use that for inspiration for the leaf you will cut out of your pumpkin. Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf34763743.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | My Frugal Life: Learning From a Frugal Mother I remember as a child, my mother would save small soap pieces and put them it hot water and mush them up, making liquid soap. We would use it to wash our hands. There were other things she did, such as saving any food containers. Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf31386990.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.