Daily Thrifty Tips - July 23, 2009

Vol. 8, Num. 143, July 23, 2009 (Read It Online) Do you have any tips for buying school supplies? Submit them here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_contest.ldml Give a "thumbs up" to tips and recipes 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: Refurbished Yard Swing Store Milk In Plastic Bag Garden: Lilies Kaiser (Husky/Shepherd) Jibby (Chihuahua/Pomeranian/Papillon) Today's Tips: Summer Library Programs Don't Bring Junk Mail in Your House Keep a Wet Washcloth for Emergency Cleaning Product Review: Avon Curved End Eye Liner Brush Cooking Oil Spray for Wasps in Kitchen Store Extra Bags in Bottom of the Trash Bin Joke of the Day New Requests: Hydrogen Peroxide For Ear Wax Getting Rid of Refrigerator Odors Decorating a Room With Red Couches Yellowed Linoleum Tiles Getting Rid of Fruit Flies KitchenAid Ice Maker Not Making Ice Washer Isn't Draining Kittens With Fleas Fleas In Beds Average Denture Cost Preventing Underarm Stains on White Shirts Identifying Old Measuring Cup "No No" Hair Removal System Reviews Getting a Loan Modification Using Laminate Flooring in Unheated Space Are Puppy Vaccines Safe? Mosquito Repellent for Dogs Making Your Own Glass Cleaner Cleaning Pet Stained Grout Laundry Smells Bad After Washing Homemade "Clean Shower" Products Are "Green Bags" for Food Storage BPA Free? Granite Countertops to Coordinate With Oak Cabinets Sun Yellowed Polyester Fabric Using Ketchup to Improve Complexion Fixing Squeaky Office Chairs Florida Law Regarding Rabies Shots Does NIX Kill Fleas? Tiny Sugar Ants 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: Refurbished Yard Swing This is a yard swing I received from my local Freecycle. It was a rusty green with a torn seat. I covered it with purple and white striped fabric lined with a sheet of plastic left from another Freecycle deal. I painted it with white paint I had left over from another project. The purple paint came from a free Gliddon paint sample. Total cost: free, just time. By Craftmomo from San Marcos TX Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf33131140.tip.html Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Store Milk In Plastic Bag It's true. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure especially when it comes to cleaning. In this picture, I wrapped the plastic grocery bag handles around the handle of the milk jug, leaving enough of the handle because the bag can be slippery. It keeps the white sticky on the bottom of the jug from sticking to the shelf in the refrigerator. Presto, less mess. You can leave the bag a bit loose and it will also collect dribbles and small spills when pouring the milk into a glass or other container. Who wants to have less mess and less cleaning in their lives? Everyone! By Carol from Hartselle, AL Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf17733134.tip.html Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Garden: Lilies My lily bloomed next to the bird bath. Isn't it beautiful? By AngelLoveInOhio from Wooster, Ohio Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf36843967.tip.html Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Kaiser (Husky/Shepherd) Kaiser is a 3 month old Husky/Shepherd. We bought him from a foster mom from an animal shelter. He likes to dig in the sandbox, play chase, visit kids, lick the dogs next door, go to puppy classes, and bounce and play! By Kaiser'sMama from Erlanger, KY Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf69994926.tip.html Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Jibby (Chihuahua/Pomeranian/Papillon) Jibby is 7 years old. He is a mix of Chihuahua, Pomeranian with a little Papillon. I got him 7 years ago, he was born on my husband's 50th birthday. I got him from a breeder and they didn't know which dog she had bred so they were giving the pups away. She brought three in a basket and Jibby was the only one to stand up and look and me with big bright eyes. He likes to fetch and run around the yard with our black lab and go for car rides. He is an excellent pet, he has never barked, I don't know why, if you ask him to speak he will bark, but that is the only time he barks. He loves to dance and stand on his hind legs and spin around in a circle for a treat. He started coughing about three weeks ago, so we took him to the vet because we thought he had something stuck in his throat. I expected the vet to show me a bone or something he had pulled out of his throat, but it ended up that all of his lymph nodes were swollen the size of golf balls and he had leukemia. He has maybe six to twelve months. He is on steroids long term, which have shrunk the lymph nodes so they aren't pressing on his windpipe. I love him with all my heart, he is my sidekick, he goes everywhere with me. I am going to miss him so much, but I am also going to enjoy every minute I have left with him By pico from ST PAUL, ALBERTA Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf74199509.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: Summer Library Programs Most local Libraries have great summer reading programs. It's free, it's fun and it's educational! Our local libraries have a wonderful program for kids. The child colors in a circle on a chart for every 20 minutes they read and when they get halfway around the chart, they get a free pizza. When they get to the end of the reading chart they get a wonderful arts and crafts box full of goodies! My 6 year old granddaughter is reading up a storm this summer so she can get that prize at the end! Each library has different summer programs, call yours and ask what they offer. Your kids will thank you for it! No more "Mom, I'm bored!" this summer! By Cyinda from Near Seattle Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf71546082.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Don't Bring Junk Mail in Your House Do not allow junk mail to enter your home! It seems once mail gets in the house, it takes on a life of it's own and never leaves. If you pick up your mail at a post office, throw your junk mail in their paper recyclables container. Less to take home. If you have home delivery, keep a grocery bag (plastic or paper) for the junk mail in your garage. You can even put it in a pretty trash can or basket (found at a garage sale?) so you notice it more quickly! Less clutter and greener for the environment. Oh, don't forget to occasionally, get rid of the full bag or you have only moved your clutter from in the house to the garage. Source: My own battle against clutter. By Irene from Lancaster, PA Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf96410804.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Keep a Wet Washcloth for Emergency Cleaning Instead of wasting all the baby wipes, cleaning messy faces and sticky fingers. I wet a washcloth, fold it and put it in a zip-lock bag. Carry one in your purse, diaper bag, car, wherever. The expensive baby wipes last a lot longer, and the washcloth is a lot softer than a baby wipe on your baby's tender face. The washcloth can be rinsed out, when needed and reused all day long. By CBlack28 from Walton, KY Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf92784032.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Product Review: Avon Curved End Eye Liner Brush For those of us with the caffeine shakes - Avon is now manufacturing an eye liner brush with a curved end. You can rest your hand on your cheek while you apply the liner. It really does work well. Source: Avon By Collinsmom from New Jersey Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55865801.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Cooking Oil Spray for Wasps in Kitchen I was in the kitchen and saw a wasp flying around. I didn't want to spray bug killer in the house so I took a can of generic cooking spray, and sprayed the bug when it landed on the window. It fell to the floor and I could step on it and get rid of it. The oil coats the wings and they can not longer fly. By Yarnlady from PA Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf36588226.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Store Extra Bags in Bottom of the Trash Bin Fold about two trash bags and lay in bottom of your trash can. When it is time empty the bag, you have one there to replace right away. By dirtgirl_2007 from Edenton, NC Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf65955484.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: Hydrogen Peroxide For Ear Wax When using hydrogen peroxide for ear wax where does the hydrogen peroxide go? It doesn't run out. Where are all the clumps of ear wax? By skag from Vancouver, WA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf588826.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Getting Rid of Refrigerator Odors How do I get rid of a rotten odor in fridge? By bennie2433 from Livonia, MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf43216335.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Decorating a Room With Red Couches I need advice for decorating my living room. It has white walls and red couches. By Y.kami from Chicago, IL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf69608137.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Yellowed Linoleum Tiles The white linoleum in my bathroom has become yellowed and discolored. When I move a potted plant it was still white underneath. I have tried most things, but nothing is working. By Pam60 from Gloucestershire, UK Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf86415997.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Getting Rid of Fruit Flies I'd like to know how to get rid of fruit flies in the kitchen. The grandkids left unfinished fruit on the counter. By groovygranny from Toronto, ON, Canada Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf000317.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | KitchenAid Ice Maker Not Making Ice We own a Kitchenaid side-by-side model KSRS25Q. The ice maker is not making ice. I checked all the lines except for the valve inlet. Everything is working. But water does not fill up in the ice tray maker. What should I look at next? The valve inlet? Thanks. By bw180h from Milwaukee, WI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf35340585.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Washer Isn't Draining I have a fairly new Kenmore washer (purchased new in 2002) and it has two settings for washing, heavy duty and regular. For some reason it only washes and agitates in the Regular cycle, but it doesn't drain and spin. If I come back to the machine and switch to the Heavy Duty cycle and put it in spin mode it spins and drains perfectly. Does anyone know why it would only work in the one cycle and not the other, so strange that one works and one doesn't. Please help me before I call out and spend hundreds to have it fixed. Thank you so much for any input. By Skiider from CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22891398.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Kittens With Fleas I have 5 kittens that are a week old today. I noticed that they are covered in fleas and have no idea how to get rid of them. I don't want to use anything that might harm them. I also don't know what to use on the mother cat, because she is nursing. I don't know what would be safe. I also have other pets in the house and use Frontline, but I didn't know if it was safe to put it on them since they go around the mother cat. Can that affect the kittens/get on the mother cat? I did read that I should give them a bath, but didn't know if they are still to young to get wet. By joeyd389 Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf478875.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Fleas In Beds How do you know if you even have fleas? I only see them in the bed in the morning. Does that mean I have them in my hair? By prov31woman08 from Denver Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf94103409.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Average Denture Cost Does anyone know the average cost of a complete set of dentures? I'm trying to get some info so hopefully I can get them soon. Any advice would be great. I live in south Georgia, if that helps. By Ladydragonfly13 from Valdosta, GA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf11263934.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Preventing Underarm Stains on White Shirts I am looking to prevent underarm stains on all my new white shirts. I've seen a bunch of posts for getting them out. Does anyone know how to prevent them? Thanks a million. By Seeme Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf36512862.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Identifying Old Measuring Cup I have a glass measuring cup that appears to be very old. I have never seen one like it. Perhaps someone out there can give me some information about it. It shows: lb. measures, ex. 1/4 lb. flour or sugar (both written on the cup) teaspoon measures cup measures oz. measurements pint measurements tablespoon measurements It has no markings on the bottom of it. It stands 3 inches tall with no pouring spout. Can any one tell me anything about this measuring cup. A big thanks for reading this. By Connie H from Smithville, TN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf24741438.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | "No No" Hair Removal System Reviews I would like to know if anyone has tried the NO NO hair removal system? It is expensive and like others will probably become cheaper in time. By Little suzy from OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf17140695.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Getting a Loan Modification I need to get a loan modification, but am afraid of getting ripped off. Does anyone know of a loan modification company that is honest? Thank you. By packlestax from Dayton, OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55457898.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Using Laminate Flooring in Unheated Space Is a wood laminate floor suitable for my cabin that is unheated most of the year? If not, is any type of wood floor suitable? By buddy004 from IN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf40104115.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Are Puppy Vaccines Safe? Can puppies die from their first vaccination? By Loveallboxers from Villa Rica, GA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf47631340.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Mosquito Repellent for Dogs What is a good mosquito repellent for dogs? By dw1959 Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf15106935.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Making Your Own Glass Cleaner There is a recipe for glass cleaner with vinegar and ammonia. Do you have it? By pthimlar from Zionsville, IN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf20428419.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Cleaning Pet Stained Grout Does anyone know how to clean dog poop and pee out of the grouting on our tile floor? The tenants left a big mess. By Mascenika from Tampa, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf13466607.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Laundry Smells Bad After Washing How do I remove stagnant water smell from my clothes and towels? I was stupid when I did the laundry. I gave the plumber a towel to use, I didn't think when I did the laundry and that towel was in with the laundry. Now everything smells. I cleaned the washer out with warm water and vinegar. I washed the towels by themselves with just vinegar and they still smell. Oh, not to mention I washed them with detergent and 1/2 cup of Baking Soda and that still didn't help. Help please, my husband's best jeans were in that load. I had a small load to be washed, so I combined it. Thanks in advance for any and all help. By Kennerchick from Kenner, LA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf57294340.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Homemade "Clean Shower" Products Does anyone have a home made substitute for the Clean Shower products? By Ralfdona from San Antonio Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf86892146.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Are "Green Bags" for Food Storage BPA Free? Does anyone know whether the "green bags" for storing food safely are also BPA free? By Jcappy57 from Aliquippa, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf94340170.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Granite Countertops to Coordinate With Oak Cabinets Our kitchen cabinets are oak. What color granite countertops should I buy? What looks great with oak? By Greghanes Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf59229357.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Sun Yellowed Polyester Fabric Can anyone tell me how to brighten up the inner lining of a baby pram? The fabric is mostly white and where the sun has got at it, it has become yellow. It is a polyester mix. Many thanks. By prinnie from England Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf12687880.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Using Ketchup to Improve Complexion Does rubbing ketchup on the skin improve your complexion? Does anyone have any other tips? By Olivia livia from Dublin Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf21832893.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Fixing Squeaky Office Chairs How do you remove the seat mount on an office chair in order to fix a squeak? By Scrcrow from Orem, UT Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf83384947.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Florida Law Regarding Rabies Shots What is Florida's law for having to register your dog after a rabies shot? By seximofo22 from Ft. Lauderdale, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf61062936.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Does NIX Kill Fleas? Can I use lice killer on my dog to kill fleas? By sassier299 from MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf49413985.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Tiny Sugar Ants I have these small beige ants in my pantry. They are about 1/8" long. I have caulked around cupboards, put down new liners, everything is stored in Rubbermaid, Tupperware, and sealed bags. Today I took a can of sauce out of pantry and the ants were everywhere on it, and in the granola bar box as well. What can I use to get rid of them? They are nowhere else in the house. The cat food is now stored in a container in the garage as well. I even used Windex thinking it would de-grease. Help. By joycelgt from Turlock, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf274573.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.