Daily Thrifty Tips - June 19, 2009

Vol. 8, Num. 120, June 19, 2009 (Read It Online) Do you have any grilling tips to share with the ThriftyFun community? Please share them here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_contest.ldml You can view the full list of contest contenders for this week here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/contest.ldml?contest=14336 Be sure to take a moment to give a "thumbs up" to posts that you like best! Have a wonderful weekend! 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: Reusing Onion and Orange Mesh Bags Garden: Lilac Photos Daisy (Bombay?) Today's Tips: Celebrate Juneteenth Celebrate Your "Pop" This Father's Day Rubbing Alcohol for Carpet Stains Dry Chapped Hand Remedy Panty Hose to Keep Ceiling Fan Clean Keep a Greeting Card File Do Iron Supplements Discourage Mosquitoes? Joke of the Day New Requests: Saving Money When Shopping Eating a Healthy Vegetarian Diet Black Streaks on Microfiber Couch Establishing Grandparent Rights Removing Moss from Patio Pavers Window Air Conditioner Not Cooling Selling Silver Jewelry at Yard Sale Staying in an Apartment During a Vacation Clothes Have a Blue Tint After Washing K M Liquid Vitamins Painting an Avonite Countertop Repairing Cat Scratches on Wicker Furniture Ryan's Jacket in the Movie "Just Friends" LG Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator Reviews Nu-Eyes Reviews (Non-Surgical Cataract Removal) Planning a Halloween Wedding Canopy Frame for Garden Treasures Baja Swing Housewarming Gift Ideas Removing Acrylic Nails Looking for Zachary Creme Drops Cleaning Stainless Steel Appliances Removing Mothball Smell Looking for Inexpensive Table Cloths Paying for a Tummy Tuck Rotten Fish Smell in the House Foundation Makeup Stains on Clothing How to Remove Underarm Sweat Stains from Light Clothing? How Much Garlic Should I Use To Prevent Fleas? Bubbles When Sealing Countertops Coed 12th Birthday Ideas 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: Reusing Onion and Orange Mesh Bags I use the net onion bags for trips to the farmers market to carry home our veggies. Also some I cut up to use in the bottom of pots when planting to hold the dirt in. And hang one for garden tools. After a day of digging, wash them off and hang in the bag to dry, so they don't have dried mud/dirt on them the next time you need to use them. Source: Mine, trying to recycle as much as we can. By Great Granny Vi from Moorpark, Ca. Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf001378.tip.html Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Garden: Lilac Photos Gorgeous deep purple lilacs! I kick back and enjoy the beautiful deep violet while they last. No Spring season is complete without them. By frugalelf from Bridgton, ME Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf43496233.tip.html Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Daisy (Bombay?) Daisy is 5 years old. We're not sure what breed she is, but we have a strong belief that she has Bombay in her mix. Daisy chose us four years ago when she began hiding out in the bushes in front of our house. By the time we caught her with the plan of taking her to a shelter, we discovered she was pregnant. She had 4 kittens and stayed outside with them until one very hot day in July. I was outside sweeping my walk and the heat index was 110 degrees. I heard a noise behind me and Daisy had dropped a kitten at my feet, then laid down panting in the yard. I opened my front door and let her carry her kittens inside, but she only brought 3 in and began to nurse them. We assumed the 4th kitten had died until about 2 hours later when she asked to go outside again. This time I watched her to see where she had hidden her kittens, and she went next door and pulled the 4th kitten out from the wheel well of my neighbor's truck. His truck had been at the shop for two days and the kittens were separated from Daisy, so she obviously felt she was at the end of her rope and had no choice but to trust us and come live in our home. We are so glad we did as we got her and two of her kitty boys as a result! Daisy loves company and is friendly with anyone who crosses our threshold. Her favorite pastime is sitting in an open window or at the back door watching all the critters outside. Daisy also loves to sit in the pass-through between the kitchen and family room to watch all the 'people' action. While she is very sweet, she still has difficulty coming to us for affection so we seek her out. (We think this primarily has to do with her jealousy of our other 3 cats.) We think she is part Bombay due primarily to her temperament. She is very possessive of "her people" and alternates between purring and growling, doing both almost simultaneously! She also has facial features, physical build, and fur that are similar to Bombays. By lah34a from Missouri Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf98998282.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: Celebrate Juneteenth Learn about Juneteenth celebrations. June nineteenth, 1865 was the day that slaves in Texas finally learned that they had been freed by the Emancipation Proclamation. It is traditional to hold a barbecue near a creek or lake, play games, hold a family reunion, and make a memory jar. Strawberry soda and shortcake, barbecued beef, pork or chicken, and fresh fruit are usually served at Juneteenth picnics. By Kephirra from Moss Point, MS History of Juneteenth Editor's Note: Do you or your community celebrate Juneteenth? Post your experiences here. Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73820553.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Celebrate Your "Pop" This Father's Day Father's Day Idea for a super "POP". Fill a bag or basket for your favorite pop with the following: Popcorn soda pop Popular Mechanics magazine pop rocks popsicles poptarts Source: Family Fun Magazine (at least part of the idea) By Dana from Los Angeles, CA Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf69221647.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rubbing Alcohol for Carpet Stains Straight rubbing alcohol will remove any stain from your carpet. It does not discolor the carpet and will remove poo, pee, pink sticky stuff, absolutely anything. And the best part is that it does not leave a soapy residue in the fibers. Any spot remover you buy will have soap in it and soap does not evaporate. It just stays in the carpet and collects dirt which will make the spot reappear. The alcohol evaporates! Simply put a dry white wash cloth over the top of the bottle, getting the cloth wet with the rubbing alcohol and rub on the spot. For a larger, deeper stain, you can carefully pour the rubbing alcohol straight from the bottle onto the carpet and rub the carpet with a dry white wash cloth. It's amazing and it's the cheapest stain remover you will ever find. By Jrshari from Marysville, WA Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf699600.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Dry Chapped Hand Remedy Being a clay artist my hands are extremely dry. I've found the best thing to wash them with is shaving cream from the dollar store. I've found a brand made for women that has a wonderful raspberry scent. It also comes in Melon. If you can't find one of these, another nice scent is Lime. Shaving cream gets my hands clean without drying them out which is a wonderful thing if you wash your hands as much as I do! By Cyinda Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf757434.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Panty Hose to Keep Ceiling Fan Clean An easy way to keep ceiling fans clean. Cut the legs off old pantyhose and put one on each blade, stretching them until the whole blade is covered. You'll have extra at the motor end so twist this until it's a tight roll then tuck it back into the "leg". When the pantyhose gets dusty, just remove and wash. We live on the edge of a gibber desert where it's very dusty so our fans are always dressed in their best. No longer plain white, they look very colourful. They're currently wearing purple and black. Works well in the city also, where fans pick up city grime. By magicalmarilyn from Millstream, Western Australia Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf90160134.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Keep a Greeting Card File To save money on greeting cards, keep a card file! I am always on the hunt for bargain cards/note cards to send for birthdays and other occasions. I even have get well, and sympathy cards on hand. I find them at dollar stores, thrift shops, and even as gifts from card manufacturers. I just got sweet cards for hubby's birthday in a box of cards. I also keep a calligraphy pen set to write in personalized greetings; especially in note cards without any greeting inside. Your recipients will have no idea that the card priced at $3-4 on the back was gotten for $.25 or less! By Pamphyila from LA, CA Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf70204928.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Do Iron Supplements Discourage Mosquitoes? While reading your posts about the treatment of bug bites, I remembered a mosquito bite prevention I found out 33 years ago. As a child, I used to get eaten up every time spring and summer rolled around. When I was pregnant with my last child I noticed everyone was getting a lot of bites except for me. I casually mentioned it to my obstetrician and he said it was the iron in the prenatal vitamins I was taking. He said the mosquitoes don't like the smell of you. I still take regular vitamins with iron (not the prenatal ones) every day. I really don't get bit as much as my family does. The doctor said you may get one or two every once in a while but not like other people. Maybe this vitamin tip has some credence. If anyone who takes vitamins with iron daily sees this, and has noticed the same thing about mosquito bites, please post a response. It may work on flea bites as well. Do NOT go out and purchase vitamins without talking to your doctor first. Source: personal knowledge and a tip from my doctor By grammy123 from Kemp, Texas Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf97864537.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Dear Webby's Joke of the Day Read More Jokes Here: http://webby.com/humor New Requests: Saving Money When Shopping How do you save money when you find things to buy? By meggiedoodle from Thornton, CO Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf82825307.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Eating a Healthy Vegetarian Diet How do you get healthy if you don't like meat? By meggiedoodle from Thornton, CO Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf60527334.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Black Streaks on Microfiber Couch Can high heat cause black streaks in microfiber sofa? Roy W. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf46502504.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Establishing Grandparent Rights Where can I get help with grandparent rights? By Louie#7 from MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73741682.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Removing Moss from Patio Pavers How do you remove moss from patio blocks? By Kim K. from Knapp, WI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf23274729.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Window Air Conditioner Not Cooling A window unit air conditioner is not cooling or cycling. What can I do? By merwin from Pensacola, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22900321.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Selling Silver Jewelry at Yard Sale I am planning on selling silver jewelry at my yard sale. What are reasonable prices? By igaragesale from Cabot, AR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf44475446.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Staying in an Apartment During a Vacation We are planning to travel to New York and LA from Australia in September. We are a family of 4 adults and 2 children and seeking a apartment for about 7 days. Any ideas? The ones on the internet are very pricey. Any help would be appreciated. By reggiemm from Australia Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf24268078.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Clothes Have a Blue Tint After Washing What would cause a blue tint on my white clothes? I think my washing machine is causing it, is that possible? By sandiegomom from San Diego, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf87674154.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | K M Liquid Vitamins I am looking for a liquid vitamin called K M. By Woe Nelly Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf32053214.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Painting an Avonite Countertop I've seen the many beautiful results from painting formica and cultured marble. Do these same techniques work on Avonite? It's an acrylic solid surface material similar to Corian. It's nice stuff, I just don't like the particular color/pattern in my half bath. By utkmw from SLC, UT Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf62565504.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Repairing Cat Scratches on Wicker Furniture My tenant's cat scratched the wood on the arm rest of my white wicker couch. Any repair suggestions? Thank you! By Laurahuff65 from Wildwood, NJ Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf89915461.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Ryan's Jacket in the Movie "Just Friends" Does anyone know where I could find a jacket like the one Ryan wears in the movie Just Friends? My husband liked it and I wanted to get him one for his birthday. By mykki from San Clemente, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf79367372.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | LG Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator Reviews Does anyone know of any problems with the LG refrigerator (#LFC20760SW)? It has double doors and the freezer is on the bottom. By SaveBySolar from Stone Ridge, NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf62504889.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Nu-Eyes Reviews (Non-Surgical Cataract Removal) I used Nu-Eyes and was able to see better for about one year. But my cataract has gotten worse and I now need surgery. It's very disappointing. Has anyone had this issue? By bellpepper from Surrey Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf14854261.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Planning a Halloween Wedding I'm planning my own Halloween wedding. I need some good ideas. Erika Z. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf26233990.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Canopy Frame for Garden Treasures Baja Swing I am trying to find the canopy frame for the Garden Treasures Baja Swing purchased from Lowe's a few years back. Jeri Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf71331385.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Housewarming Gift Ideas I need ideas for a house warming gift. I don't want to give the usual such as kitchen towel, etc. I want something really different and useful. This is for a work acquaintance, not a close friend. My budget is no more than $25.00, preferably less. Thank you. By chef4u from Sylvania, OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf001060.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Removing Acrylic Nails How do you remove acrylic nails? By Ruthcarelli from Rancho Cucamonga, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf319663.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Looking for Zachary Creme Drops Where may I purchase Zachary Confections Creme Drops in or near: Hanover, NH or Lebanon, NH or West Lebanon, NH or White River Jct, VT or Barre, VT? Any assistance greatly appreciated. By Dick D from East Central VT Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf694148.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Cleaning Stainless Steel Appliances How do I clean stainless steel appliances? By tapa1525@aol.com from FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf37817581.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Removing Mothball Smell How long will the odor from mothballs last in an attic? By whitetrnd Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf001264.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Looking for Inexpensive Table Cloths Does anyone know where to rent or buy inexpensive table cloths for a wedding in August 2009? By mom of groom from San Luis Obispo Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf568500.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Paying for a Tummy Tuck Can anyone help me with some ideas for getting a tummy tuck with poor credit and no money? I am a disabled vet and have been treated for back pain since October 9, 1980 when I was in the air force. (They acknowledge my 100% disability status but have not for my back. I have $2000.00 worth of equity in my house. I can't get a loan from friends or a finance company. My medicare and Veterans medical plan will not pay for it. I have heard of patient volunteers who are given surgery for less money at plastic surgery colleges? What's up with that? I have about 10 lbs of stomach fat that contributes to my pain due to three prior abdominal surgeries and an intentional weight loss of over 100 pounds. Please help. By culturevulture from Forsyth, MO Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf11449128.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Rotten Fish Smell in the House I have a room in which I left raw fish out for a week. I recently cleaned it with bleach. Afterward I tried Pine Sol and Lysol, to no avail. When I keep the door open you can't smell it, however, when the door is closed it comes back. Please let me know what I could do. Darrick Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf34652057.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Foundation Makeup Stains on Clothing I got liquid makeup on my white jeans. How do I get it out? Please help me. By downey_jude Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf826158.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | How to Remove Underarm Sweat Stains from Light Clothing? My husband's shirts are pretty white, but the underarms are not. These are not new shirts but are in good condition. They are a poly cotton blend. I usually use ammonia in the laundry so the fabric does not get destroyed. And not at the same time, occasionally bleach. By savtajon from Cleveland Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf307383.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | How Much Garlic Should I Use To Prevent Fleas? I have read different postings about garlic to get rid of the fleas. Is it okay to give the dogs (Shihtzus) oil from the minced garlic in the jar in their food? I never had fleas until I groomed two cats for a friend and they were covered in them. Now they have gotten in my house and I can't get rid of them. The cats ears are red and raw from scratching. I dosed them with Advantage. The dogs are scratching themselves silly. I don't see any fleas anywhere and have all tile floors. I have sprayed, bathed and dosed and still they are all scratching. Any advice? I just spent over $100 for 6 doses of Advantage for the cats and two of them are just covered in scabs from itching. By foldlady from Florida Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf72113581.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Bubbles When Sealing Countertops I put down the epoxy yesterday on my painted laminate countertops. It looks great, but I do see some bubbles. I am sanding them down, but the question is, how far do I sand? Do I need to completely eliminate the bubble, or can I just sand off the top and fill with the next coat? By no-no-nancy from Brunswick, ME Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf56502632.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Coed 12th Birthday Ideas I'm hosting my daughter's 12th birthday party. The boys her age just like to run around but my daughter doesn't want to do a party with sports in it. What activities can I do that girls and boys like? By superloulou12 from Geneva, Switzerland Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf21183808.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 Interactive Coupon Swap! Swap coupons with other ThriftyFun.com users. Seed Swap! Swap seeds with other ThriftyFun.com users.