Daily Thrifty Tips
Volume Four, Number 1, January 1, 2005
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello and Welcome to 2005!
ThriftyFun.com's New Year's Resolutions for 05
Keeping It Free
While it is a lot of work moderating ThriftyFun and putting together the daily newsletter, we are committed to keeping this site and newsletter free. In 2004 ThriftyFun was able to grow and support itself by advertising on the website, if that keeps up, we should have no problem maintaining the site in 2005.
Grow Our Readership
Our goal is to double our readership this year. You can help by recommending this newsletter to a friend. We also have a "Tell a Friend" feature for everything post on the website.
Images!
Our next resolution is to enhance the sites usefulness by adding more images to go along with information posted. To help aid in that effort we have created a new Photo Contest, you can find information about that below.
More Topic Sites
We have quite a few topic sites that we hope to introduce in 2005. Some of them include: Homeschooling, Parenting, Travel and Auto.
And last but not least...
Even more reader particpation. The life blood of ThriftyFun is people who share their advice and time with the community. We will work on ways to make it easier and hopefully, more fun, to contribute.
If you have any feedback about our resolutions for 2005, feel free to send them to us:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/contact.ldml
In other news, we had a contest end last night at midnight. The winner of the contest is Debra. This is the second time someone named Debra has won the contest in 2004, although not the same Debra. I believe Debra is the first person to win the prize having submitted only one tip. There were 408 tips submitted in the last 15 days, giving her a 1 in 408 chance of winning. Congratulations Debra and thank you to everyone that submitted tips.
Two New Contests!
With that contest ending we start TWO new contests! We will continue to have our bi-monthly tip contest as usual. The prize will once again be a $30.00 gift card, you can enter that contest here:
Enter The Tip Contest:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/contest.ldml
Our other contest will be a photo contest. We frequently receive requests from site visitors asking us to try to add more images to the site. To help in that endeavor we are starting a photo contest. It's similar to the tip contest, but in addition to a tip, we require a photo be submitted. The prize for this contest will also be a $30 gift card and the contest will run for a month. For information about this contest and the type of photos we are looking for, please the link below:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/photo_contest.ldml
Thanks for reading,
Susan
Enter The Tip Contest:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/contest.ldml
Enter The Photo Contest:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/photo_contest.ldml
Frugal solutions to everyday problems: Submit a request...
http://www.thriftyfun.com/add.ldml
Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Tips:
- Awesome Lowfat Banana Bread
- Turkey Burritos
- Blooming Onion Sauce
- Baked Cavetelli
- Take Advantage Of Birthday Perks
- Plastic Floor Mats To Protect Carpet
- Emergency Reading Glasses
- Wallpaper An Old Ugly Colored 'Fridge
- Saving On Postage, Pay Bills With A Credit Card
- Converting to Diabetic Recipe With Sugar Twin
- Replacing Sugar with Artificial Sweeteners
- You Pay Extra For The Instant-On Feature On Your Television
- Keep Your Radiators Clean
- Homemade Non Stick Spray
- Mashed Potato Tips
- Fried Potato Skins
- Don't Use Vaseline in Nose
- Removing Hard Water Stains From Glass Shower and Tub Doors
- Vanilla Pudding Low Fat, Low Sugar Dessert
- Split Your Fries And Drink At Fast Food Restaurants
- Chocolate Cream Cheese Pie
- Cleaning Carpets
- Homemade Napkin Rings With Raffia
- Homemade Shop Vac Filters
- Using Fireplace Ashes In Your Garden
- Uses for Old Socks
New Requests:
- Clothing Washed and Dried With Non-permanent Marker
- Whitening A Yellowed Wedding Dress
- Advice For A Puppy With Parvo
- Sweet Potato Vines In A Mason Jar
- Home Remedy For Contact Dermatitis
More Reading:
- Sicily's Great Eggplant-Tomato Stew
- Living the Simple Life
- Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Sauce
Search ThriftyFun Using Google: Click Here
Today's Sponsor
Eversave.com...
Eversave.com is your one stop source for online coupons, brand
name savings, free samples and much more.
Eversave.com
Today's Tips
Awesome Lowfat Banana Bread
Directions:
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 cup smashed ripe bananas (about 3 medium)
- 1/3 cup buttermilk
- 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
- 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. salt
Directions:
Preheat oven to 325°F.
Lightly grease 8 1/2x4 1/2x2 1/2" pan; dust with flour.
Using electric mixer; beat eggs and sugar in large bowl until thick and light, about 5 minutes.
Mix in smashed bananas, buttermilk, oil and vanilla.
Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt over mixture; beat until just blended.
Transfer batter to prepared pan. Bake bread until golden brown on top and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Turn bread out onto rack and cool.
By Anna
View Article: Click Here
Turkey Burritos
Directions:
- 4 (10") flour tortillas
- 3/4 cup whole-berry cranberry sauce
- 2 Tbsp. spicy brown mustard
- 2 cups chopped cooked turkey
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted
- 2 green onions, diced
- 2 cups shredded lettuce
Directions:
1. Heat tortillas according to package directions. Stir together cranberry sauce and mustard, and spoon mixture evenly down center of each tortilla.
2. Combine turkey and next 3 ingredients; spoon evenly over cranberry mixture. Top each evenly with lettuce, and roll up.
By anna
View Article: Click Here
Blooming Onion Sauce
Directions:
- 3 c. flour
- 1 tbsp. baking powder
- 1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- buttermilk
- salt & pepper to taste
- Ranch or Thousand Island dressing
Directions:
Cut onions into several sections, so they fan out like flowers. Be sure not to cut roots,so onion will stay together. Cover onions with buttermilk and refrigerate several hours. Mix dry ingredients together. Carefully remove onions from buttermilk and sprinkle dry mixture over onion, making sure entire onion is covered. Deep fry in a large fryer at 375°F for 4 minutes. Onions may be dipped in Ranch or Thousand Island dressing
By Anna
View Article: Click Here
Baked Cavetelli
Makes 6 main-dish servings or 8 to 10 potluck servings.
Directions:
- 8 ounces dried cavatelli pasta
- 1 14 1/2 ounce can whole Italian-style tomatoes
- 1/2 of a 6-ounce can (1/3 cup) Italian-style tomato paste
- 1/4 cup dry red wine or tomato juice
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 pound extra-lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/4 cup sliced, pitted ripe olives
- 1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese (2 ounces)
Directions:
1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain well. Set aside. Meanwhile, in a blender or food processor container, combine undrained tomatoes, tomato paste, wine, sugar, oregano, and pepper. Cover; blend until smooth. Set aside.
2. In a large skillet, cook ground beef and onion until beef is no longer pink. Drain well. Stir in tomato mixture. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in pasta and olives.
3. Spoon the pasta mixture into a 2-quart casserole. Bake, covered, in a 375°F oven for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake, uncovered, about 5 minutes more or until heated through.
Or, chill unbaked casserole, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Bake in a 375°F oven for 45 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake, uncovered, 5 minutes more
By Anna
View Article: Click Here
Take Advantage Of Birthday Perks
Check and see which restaurants offer the birthday person a FREE desert or a discount coupon on a meal. They usually will sing Happy Birthday too! Check it out; some have birthday registration clubs. Usually it has to be in the month, not the exact birth date. Worth checking out.
By Syd
Post Feedback: Click Here
Plastic Floor Mats To Protect Carpet
If you have a table with chairs that have castors; try this to save your carpet. Put the type of plastic floor mats that you use in an office at your desk, under the chairs.
Commercial-type desk floor mats will save your carpet when you have chairs with castors. The wheels over time, will cut into the carpet. You can roll back easily on the mats. This solved a problem for us in our heavily used eating area in a family room. We bought them after the carpet was torn!
Wal-Mart carries a cheap one for around $15.00, you have to let it relax and flatten out since it is folded in half! Office supply stores carry much firmer and more expensive mats.
By Syd
View Article: Click Here
Emergency Reading Glasses
Keep a pair of $1.00 store reading glasses in your cars in case you forget your regular glasses.
By Syd
Post Feedback: Click Here
Wallpaper An Old Ugly Colored 'Fridge
Many years ago I wallpapered an ugly avocado 'fridge that was past it's prime with a plain textured paper. The 'fridge worked fine but was so outdated! I got lots of compliments on the wallpaper and it was cheaper than buying a new 'fridge!
By Syd
Post Feedback: Click Here
Saving On Postage, Pay Bills With A Credit Card
Mailing separate bills gets expensive and the postage is due to go up. I charge bills on a credit card and then pay it off each month. Only if you are a disciplined person and pay the entire credit card bill off each month should you consider this tip. You don't want to pay interest.
I have used a Visa United Frequent Flyer Credit Card for years; with each charge you acquire miles toward free airline tickets. Most of our money is deposited into the checking account so the money is there when the bill comes in. You have a quick reference of where your money is being spent. You can make one check out, or call the credit card company, or go online and pay by debit from your bank account (you have to set it up). After doctor's offices get paid by the insurance company, they will mail you a bill, you can call and pay the bill on the phone.
For us, we do not spend anymore than we would with cash or check, it's just more convenient. You can pay just about every bill with a credit card now so we do.
The airline credit cards do carry a fee "if you want the miles", we use to fly to Hawaii and use the Free miles as an upgrade to "first class" each year; for us it was worth it. You can do the same on a regular no fee card and forego miles.
By Syd
View Article: Click Here
Converting to Diabetic Recipe With Sugar Twin
If you want to convert recipes for use by Diabetics, or just want to cut sugar, make sure to use a sugar substitute that can withstand heat. Sugar Twin is a great choice in that it retains its sweetness when it is cooked or baked, and you can get it in a form that measures, cup for cup, like sugar.
By Judi in Orlando
Post Feedback: Click Here
Replacing Sugar with Artificial Sweeteners
In substituting artificial sweetener for sugar in recipes, you may have a problem trying to eliminate ALL sugar. Sugar contributes more than just taste. It affects things like browning in baked goods, and textures, etc. You will have better luck replacing only up to about half the sugar.
You will still get a considerable reduction of carbs, but will have more success with the final result. You might want to try Sugar Twin because it retains its sweetness when it is cooked or baked, and you can get it in a form that measures, cup for cup, like sugar.
By Judi in Orlando
View Article: Click Here
You Pay Extra For The Instant-On Feature On Your Television
Many television models today have an instant turn-on feature. It gives you an instant picture because it's actually operating 24 hours a day. If yours has one, disconnect it, or unplug the set when you're not using it. This device can use up to 50% of the total amount of energy your set uses in one year.
By joesgirl
Post Feedback: Click Here
Keep Your Radiators Clean
Now that the cold weather is here you want to do everything possible to make sure that your heat in your house is reaching its potential. Make sure you brush out your radiators. If you find it difficult to clean them, try using a long-handled auto snow brush. It's just the right width to fit between the slots & long enough to brush out dust from underneath. Happy cleaning.
By joesgirl
Post Feedback: Click Here
Homemade Non Stick Spray
To make your own nonstick spray, combine equal parts of vegetable oil & liquid lecithin in a pump bottle. Liquid lecithin can be found in natural food stores.
By joesgirl
Post Feedback: Click Here
Mashed Potato Tips
Tips and ideas for making mashed potatoes. Post your ideas.
Better Mashed Potatoes
Isn't it silly to throw away the potato cooking water that contains so many nutrients, and then add just milk to the potatoes for mashing? A much better idea is to save the potato water & mix it according to the directions on the box with dry milk for mashing. This way, you get the benefits of the potato water & the milk and save some money to boot. Happy mashing.
By joesgirl
Post Feedback: Click Here
Fried Potato Skins
Wash the potatoes before you peel, removing any scarred or spoiled spots, eyes, sprouts, & the like. Then peel the potatoes and save the skins for frying. Frying them in a little oil for about a minute will give you the same munchy tidbits that bars & restaurants charge high prices for. Season them with melted cheese, soy sauce, nutritional yeast, or an herb mixture, & serve crisp & hot.
Happy munching.
By joesgirl
Post Feedback: Click Here
Preventing Nosebleeds
Don't Use Vaseline in Nose
Please do not use the tip "Preventing Nosebleeds". I am a nurse and we are NEVER to do this as it could be taken into the lung causing major problems such as pneumonia. Also, if you are using oxygen, never use an oil based chap stick. Find a water based one instead and this is for the same reason. It could get on the nasal cannula and go to your lungs.
By Mara
Post Feedback: Click Here
Removing Hard Water Stains From Glass Shower and Tub Doors
To remove hard water stains from your glass tub/shower door or your tile surrounding your tub just wipe the area with lemon oil on a soft cloth.
By L Moore
Post Feedback: Click Here
Vanilla Pudding Low Fat, Low Sugar Dessert
This is a great low fat, almost no sugar dessert. This also is very low in calories!
Use a 9 x 13 cake pan. Crush one package of graham crackers. (A box has 3 packages in it.) Line the bottom of pan with crushed graham crackers. Make a large box of sugar free vanilla pudding according to box directions, using fat free milk. Pour this immediately on the graham crackers. Next is the fun part. You put any kind of fruit you want on it. I put 4 bananas, 4 kiwi, and some strawberries. Next, put on a big container of fat free whipped topping. Last, but not least, put a can of crushed pineapple that has been drained THOROUGHLY on top of topping. I use my hands and squeeze the dickens out of it.
OH YUM! This is so good. You would not think that it was cheap in calories. I make this for my dad that is diabetic. I also make it for a gift.
By Marge
View Article: Click Here
Split Your Fries And Drink At Fast Food Restaurants
When ordering food for 2 at a fast food restaurant, order one of the combo meals which includes a drink and a "Side". French fries or whatever, and one main entree by itself. (Burger, tacos, etc.) Then share the drink and fries with your guest. Good for the waistline also!
By Jim J
Editor's Note: McDonald's nutrition facts state that their large french fries contains 520 calories and 25 grams of fat. That is as many or more calories than most of their sandwiches.
Post Feedback: Click Here
Chocolate Cream Cheese Pie
Get:
- 1 big box of sugar free chocolate pudding
- 1 graham cracker pie crust
- 6 packs of equal
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 8 ounce package of cream cheese.
Directions:
Soften the cream cheese. Then take cream cheese, 6 packs of equal and cottage cheese and blend together.
Put in graham cracker pie crust.
Make pudding according to directions. place it on top of graham cracker pie crust add cool whip or nuts if you like.
I noticed with this recipe that it kind of runs over sides so I think you can make two pies out of it but have 1 extra package of cream cheese in case it's needed.
Allow to set in fridge for 1 hour before serving. You can substitute a deep dish pie crust or regular pie crust instead of graham cracker pie crust.
By Sherry In Indiana
View Article: Click Here
Cleaning Carpets
I use a low-suds laundry detergent to pre-treat real bad areas, then go over them again with vinegar and water to get the soap residue out of the carpet (that's why your cleaned carpets get dirty faster.)
You can also pre-treat with laundry pre-treatment products like shout and spray and wash. If you use a carpet shampooer that you have warm water in, you can use oxi-cleaner in the water.
Test anything you use on a part of carpet that can't be seen. You do not need a lot of soap to clean with 1 OZ to a gallon of water
By Dee
Post Feedback: Click Here
Homemade Napkin Rings With Raffia
Cut 12" pieces of raffia to make napkin rings. Soak the pieces in water or colored rit dye, then wrap them around cardboard paper towel insert. When dried, they make decorative napkin rings for any occasion.
By Palma
Post Feedback: Click Here
Homemade Shop Vac Filters
Don't spend money on shop vac filters. Use the "panty" part of pantyhose after cutting off the legs and tying them off.
By Palma
Post Feedback: Click Here
Using Fireplace Ashes In Your Garden
Use ashes from your fireplace to sprinkle in your garden. It wards off slugs, as well as many other harmful insects. The ashes act as shards of glass as they crawl on the dirt.
By Palma
Post Feedback: Click Here
Uses for Old Socks
Here are some uses for old or unmatched socks. Post your ideas below!
Old Socks To The Rescue
Do not throw your old socks away. Save them as they make effective bandages for hard-to-dress areas on horses' (and dogs') legs.
By joesgirl
Post Feedback: Click Here
Other Active Topics
Be sure to check out our active topics page to follow the discussion.
http://www.thriftyfun.com/board.html
Tip Contest
Submit a tip and you could win:
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 January 15th.
Enter the contest!
Syndication Spotlight:
Here are some publishers that have chosen to publish our tips this week!
Dear Webby's Humor Letter
Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter.
http://webby.com/humor
Do you publish a newsletter? Sign up for our Tip Syndication:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/syndication.html
New Requests:
Clothing Washed and Dried With Non-permanent Marker
I accidentally left a non-permanent red marker in a pocket of clothing and preceded to wash and dry it. I now have red marks all over several pieces of light colored, mostly cotton or cotton blend clothing - Help!!
What can I do to save the clothing and remove the red marker?
Thank you!
Michelle from Michigan
Post Feedback: Click Here
Whitening A Yellowed Wedding Dress
I made a dress for my daughter to wear in a wedding 16 years ago, and now we would like to use it again, but it has yellowed. I can't remember if the fabric is washable or not - I have had it dry-cleaned. Are there specialty dry cleaners? Or can I do something myself?
Dell
Post Feedback: Click Here
Advice For A Puppy With Parvo
I got my puppy at the shelter she has parvo and I took her to the vet they gave us all these shots IVs and medicine for her. Are there other natural things on top this we can do to help her? She is walking around now, drinking water and no blood is or has been in her stool.
Wandering what all can be done...
Post Feedback: Click Here
Sweet Potato Vines In A Mason Jar
I remember my mom growing sweet potato vines (as house plants) in a mason jar. How do you do it? I'd love to know. Can they remain in the water with some marbles in the bottom, or do they need to be planted? What type of light do they need? If I need to plant them, what do I keep the moisture level at for the soil?
I can't remember which end of the sweet potatoe to place in water to root it?
Thanks,
jenny from KY
Post Feedback: Click Here
Home Remedy For Contact Dermatitis
I don't even know if I spelled it right but I have had "contact dermatitious" for over 2 years from wearing wrist braces. I no longer wear them but when I get stressed or am working too hard my hands become very itchy and painful to the point of open sores. The Dr.s have prescribed ointments that never seem to work. Any home remedy suggestions would be appreciated?
Karaof4 from Minnesota
Post Feedback: Click Here
Looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem? Submit
your request here: Click Here
Today's Sponsor
Eversave.com...
Eversave.com is your one stop source for online coupons, brand
name savings, free samples and much more.
Eversave.com
More Reading:
Sicily's Great Eggplant-Tomato Stew
By Skip Lombardi
I ran into a friend yesterday, who tells me that he should be harvesting eggplants from his garden any day now. Of course, this got me thinking about Caponata, the famous Sicilian eggplant and tomato stew.
View Article: Click Here
Living the Simple Life
By Arleen M. Kaptur
The trend of today for many people is to live the "simple life." However, what exactly is the simple life? There are as many answers to this question as there are individuals looking to find the peace and contentment that seems so evasive. Yet, in their hearts there is a void, an empty spot that modern consumption just cannot fill.
View Article: Click Here
Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Sauce
By The Maitre D
I love carrot cake and I have sampled it all over the world. This recipe makes one of the moistest cakes I have ever had, but what makes it really special is the icing. Instead of regular cream cheese icing we like to make it with a cream cheese sauce. When serving the cake just pour or dollop on the cream cheese sauce, as little or as much as you want.
View Article: Click Here
Let others know that you like this Ezine:
Vote For the Daily Thrifty Tips
More Stuff
Coupon Swap!
Swap coupons with other ThriftyFun.com users:
Seed Swap!
Swap seeds with other ThriftyFun.com users:
Tip Contest!
Submit a tip and enter our contest.
Submit a Request
Frugal solutions to everyday problems.
Search ThriftyFun!
Use Google technology to search ThriftyFun.
| 
