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Hello,
The latest contest ends tonight at midnight! Good luck and thanks to everyone that has submitted tips. We'll start a new contest tomorrow.
We are leaning towards doing a Christmas TF News this weekend. If you have a topic that you would like to see covered in a future issue of the ThriftyFun News (our weekly newsletter) feel free to send it in.
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Susan
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Today's Tips
Today's Family Tradition...
My Family were not church going people and neither was my husband's so we had to come up with our own traditions. In doing Geneology for both families I saw that we had a lot of German ancestors so I went on line and found out about the german tradition of the Advent Wreath.
I went to Walmart and got a nice green wreath and decorated it with some bows and balls. I bought 4 small candle holders and used a glass mirror square from the hardware store to lay it all on. I bought a white Christmas candle (pillar) to go in the center. I printed out prayers that were included on the website.
Now I invite my grown children and grandchildren to come to dinner every Sunday (4 sundays which could mean the last weekend of Nov.) We now light a candle in the center of the wreath and say a prayer and sing a Christmas carol and then have a nice dinner. I also try to plan one activity for each Sunday such as a free Nativity scene or Christmas Movies or making cookies. We light the pillar on Christmas Day.
Also this year we found the book "Christmas in the Manger" by Nola Buck and Felicia Bond. It is a simple hard back book that tells the Christmas story in short sentences. Each page tells about some character from the Nativity such as the ox, the sheep, and the wise men. To make it fun for my grandsons (ages 3, 4, 18 months) I hid each animal or person around the house (hidden in plain sight) and as I read the story they got to find the correct piece and return it to the Christmas Nativity set. They loved it and learned some too.
We have our Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve and then open presents. That way parents and children can sleep in on Christmas Morning. This is how we got around the Santa Claus Dilemma. My husband would take the children out to look at Christmas lights while I put out all the "Santa Gifts" I knew they would be back in 15 minutes or so and I had a string of jingle bells I would ring and say HO HO HO as they came in the door. They would come in and be convinced that Santa had just left. It sure made it nice to be well rested and able to enjoy our gifts the next day. Oh, I also would take a big drink of the eggnog and take a bite of the cookie also. My children and now the grandchildren loved the illusion and still do even now.
By Debra in Colorado
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Share Your Christmas Family Tradition
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Tips for reusing the lens cups that come with disposable contact lenses. Post your ideas.
Recycle Contact Lens Cups
Don't throw away those individual plastic lens cups that disposable contact lens come in, they are ideal to use when crafting. Ideal for small amounts of paint. Or glue them to the bottom of a craft project for raised feet. Or use for sorting small bead sizes, etc.
By Syd
Post Feedback: Click Here
Mix together in a small bowl.
one part white vinegar &
one part white school glue.
Using a sponge brush, paint the first coat onto the back of paper. Let this dry and paint on second coat. Let this dry at least a couple of hours or overnight. Now you are ready to cut out your stickers. You may add peppermint extract or any other flavor you like to glue mixture to make licking more pleasant.
By Syd
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Tips and ideas for mailing gifts. Post your ideas.
Use Priority Mail Boxes
Use FREE Post Office Priority Mail Boxes to mail your gifts which are very sturdy. Eliminates having to wrap your boxes to mail!
By Syd
Post Feedback: Click Here
Homemade Colored Sugar for Cookies
Mix granulated sugar in a bowl with food coloring to desired color, then spread out on a jelly roll pan and put into the oven at 200 degrees, keep checking and stirring around until dry. Store in spice jars. Rather cheap!
By Syd
Post Feedback: Click Here
Making Stickers for Sealing Envelopes
Using decorative paper punches, take decorative wallpaper and punch out seals. They are pretty and cheap!
Tip: It is best to use a glue stick on the label rather than wet the wallpaper!
By Syd
Post Feedback: Click Here
I asked the Lord to tell me Post Feedback: Click Here
A Sweet Gift - A Photo Calendar
The sweetest gift I got was from my brother and his wife. They had taken pictures of our family and had them made into a calendar. I checked at Wal*mart they are only $3.00 a piece and the family gets a great reminder of the past year and family if they don't live near by. It was truly a great gift. In fact I am giving one to my family this Christmas but it is my way of telling them I am pregnant. The month I am due I will put a picture of the positive pregnancy test. They will be totally surprised. Post Feedback: Click Here
Keep the kids busy and have great, cheap gift bags. Get a pack of brown lunch bags at the dollar store and let the kids decorate them with markers, stencils, glitter-glue, whatever is on hand. Punch 2 holes in the top and thread a ribbon, yarn, or raffia thru and tie a bow. Custom gift wrap! As elaborate or simple as you like AND it keeps the kids very busy having fun! Post Feedback: Click Here
Kids Math Practice Game With Cards
Practice children's addition facts with 2 regular decks of cards shuffled together. Then, like in the game War, both kids flip up not one but 2 cards at a time. Highest sum wins both cards. All face cards are worth 10. Good game to play at grandma's where maybe no other toys are around, or on a plane trip or long car ride. Post Feedback: Click Here
Place some bells on your Christmas tree around the bottom. You can then hear the jingle if the little one or the pet is into the tree. Post Feedback: Click Here
Got a toddler who won't leave the Christmas tree alone? Put it in the playpen. (the tree, not the kid)! Post Feedback: Click Here
Tips for finding cheap magazines. Post your ideas.
Magazine Subscriptions
If you have friends or relatives that like various magazines, have each one subscribe to a different magazine and pass them among yourselves. Later they can be donated to a senior center or hospitals. It sure saves on everyone ordering the same magazine and pitching it!
By Syd
Post Feedback: Click Here
Don't let pets drink from the Christmas tree stand. Preservatives can be toxic, and so can pine sap. Post Feedback: Click Here
If you do ad matching at Walmart, put all of your ad matching items on the bottom of your cart as you shop, then have them rung up first or last so you don't forget to keep them separate. Also when I write my weekly grocery list I write the item and then if it's going to be ad matched I write the sale price beside it circled with a star by it and the store I'm matching. Then there's less confusion at the check out. Post Feedback: Click Here
I keep a pen and small pair of scissors in my back pocket, it always seems like I end up using them around the house at some point in the day. If I'm really on the ball I try to keep a bandaid in a pocket too, with 5 kids to raise at some point in the day it might be needed too :) Post Feedback: Click Here
To extend the fun of summer put some sand into a small rubbermaid storage bucket with some shells and play toys then let your kids play in the bucket on a large piece of vinyl or a shower curtain when it's snowed outside. They'll think you're pretty cool. Although it can get messy this is pretty cheap Occupational Therapy if a child needs it. Post Feedback: Click Here
My cousin Darlene says to buy cake mixes when they are on sale and store them in the freezer. When you need one just set it out to room temp. and bake as usual. Beats going to the store and paying top price. Post Feedback: Click Here
Printer Tip: Storing Color Cartridges
If you are using a black cartridge and trying to save the color cartridge, it can dry out... store it in a ziplock bag with a moist paper towel. Post Feedback: Click Here
Shoe Dye Can Do Wonders for SALE Shoes.
Out of season shoes may be on sale super cheap, but not the color you want. Dye them another color! I bought several pairs of white shoes and dyed them! Post Feedback: Click Here
We live in central Oregon and have lots of icy days. Put baking soda on your steps and walk ways. It gives you traction and is safe for the cement and steps as well as the grounds. Post Feedback: Click Here
Removing Water Spots on Chrome
To remove water spots on chrome, use car paste wax. Works great! Post Feedback: Click Here
Ingredients:
Cook until thick and clear. Add 3 tablespoons strawberry (dry) Jelly. Cool. Mix in fresh strawberries. (approx. 2 cups) When berries are covered with glaze, pour into pie shell with pineapple and bananas. Garnish with Cool Whip.
By Robin
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Tip Contest
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Syndication Spotlight:
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Dear Webby's Humor Letter
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New Requests:
A lot of my holiday baking recipes call for egg whites only. Does anybody have any ideas for using the yolks? I've heard that they're good for making a dog's coat shiny (the dog eats them), but I don't have a dog and the cat won't touch them. I hate to just throw them out. Post Feedback: Click Here
Box Made from Christmas Cards and Yarn
When I was a kid, my aunt made boxes out of old christmas cards. She would punch holes along the sides and then crochet them together. The boxes even had a flap for a lid. I am looking for directions/pattern on how to make these. Post Feedback: Click Here
Looking for Drain Board Solution
I have a sink with about a 1/2 inch lip on it that sits above the counter to I can't find a drain board that has a wedge or an incline that will direct the drain water into the sink. the drain board I have now just pools the water. Can anyone suggest a product that will help? Post Feedback: Click Here
I have recently purchased a puppy. I am finding in the hair white bugs and the skin is flaking off the puppy. I have used the method of vinegar and water to spray this puppy with because he is only 5 weeks old. Is this fleas? I don't see any black spots or even black bugs of any sort. The bug is white with two little legs. Kind of like a white fly bug that you find on stems of carrots. The puppy has bumps all over its coat. Is this due to the bugs? I am wondering if I should take the dog back to were I bought it from to get my money back. He is a heathy dog otherwise. Can anyone help? Post Feedback: Click Here
I have seen these tiny red bugs in boxes of pasta, counter tops, cooking pots and pans, and even on top of the refrigerator. Where do they come from? How can I control them? My wife can't eat or sleep. (Arachnaphobia) What shall I do? - Patrick Post Feedback: Click Here
Can you help me? I've washed two karate suits and there was a yellow sock mixed up with them now they have a yellow ting all over them. they're 100% cotton is there anything that will budge it? i've tryed colour remover and soda crystals. The only thing, I need to get something that won't ruin the coloured badges on it. - Lisa
Post Feedback: Click Here
Rather Awkward Request - Solution for Gas
I am looking for input from others who have found a solution to this problem - intestinal gas. No matter what I eat, it turns to gas! Has anyone found a sure cure? I know there is Beano and other supposed helps, but is there any other ideas? Thanks for any and all input!
Post Feedback: Click Here
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Ruin My Credit
I am not a financial whiz. Never was and never will be. Therefore, I respect the advice of those who seem to be knowledgeable about financial matters. However, when it comes to knowing what is in your credit report, I have one question -- who cares? I am 54 years old, have purchased several vehicles, two houses and can write checks anywhere in the town I live or the surrounding smaller towns without any hassle. I have never been turned down for credit. In fact, if I sign up for a new credit card for a minimum balance I can assure you that within three years my credit limit has increased considerably.
View Article: Click Here
How Credit is Really Determined...
Most of us think that credit is determined by how we make our payments. And to a degree that's true, however, only 35% of our Credit FICO score is determined by how we make our payments. 30% of your score comes from how much debt you have, 15% from the age of your credit, 10% based on the establishment of new credit, and 10% is based on having a mix of credit with Credit Cards, Installment loans, and a Mortgage. An inquiry can lower your score by 5 points. Multiple inquiries within a 14-day period count as only 1 and inquiries within the 30 days prior to the scoring do not count at all.
View Article: Click Here
Negotiating Rates with your Credit Card Company
Ok, let's face it, everybody hates high credit card rates, and they drain hard earned money out of your wallet. As a budding entrepreneur, it is apparent that you learn how to negotiate to get the absolute best rate that you possibly can. The good news however is that it doesn't have to be a difficult or time-consuming process. In fact, it can be very easy indeed if you know what you're doing. In this article we will discuss the ins and outs of credit card negotiating to ensure that you get the best possible rate with the least amount of effort.
View Article: Click Here
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Why my house is such a mess?
He asked if I'd been 'puting,
And I had to answer "yes"
He told me to get off my butt
And tidy up the house
And so I started cleaning up...
The smudges off my mouse.
I wiped and shined the topside
That really did the trick...
I was just admiring my work...
I didn't mean to 'click'
But click, I did, and LO! I found
A real absorbing site
That I got SO way into...
I was into it all night
<
Nothing's changed except my mouse
It's very, very shiny
I guess my house will stay a mess...
While I sit here on my hiney
~Doggy 2004
By Doggy
By Beth
By Linda
By Linda
By Linda
By Linda
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By Melanie
By Melanie
By Melanie
By Great Granny Vi
I got this tip from the company I buy my refill ink from. I was using two printers, using mostly the black and the color cartridge was drying up in the other printer!
Penny-wise and pound foolish! It really does work!
By Syd
By Syd
By Patricia
By Patricia
Strawberry filling:
New Contest! $30.00 Gift Card
In our newest contest we are giving away a $30.00 Gift Card at one of the following stores: Home Depot, Jo-Ann's Crafts or Amazon.com. If you are the winner, you get to choose which gift card! We figured it would be more valuable if you pick out your own prize, that's why we have decided to go the gift card route. This contest will end on December 15th.
Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter.
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Camilla
Nancy from Pittsburgh
Bobby K
Snowstress, Wisconsin
By Gary Foreman
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