Daily Thrifty Tips - September 28, 2009

Vol. 8, Num. 189, September 28, 2009 (Read It Online) Do you have any Halloween recipes to share with the ThriftyFun community? Submit them here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_recipes.ldml Do you have a question for the ThriftyFun community? Submit it here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_request.ldml?email_source=newsletter Be sure to give a "thumbs up" to tips and recipes and that you like. Your ratings are used to pick the 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: Scenery: Hot Air Balloons (Colorado Springs) Sammie (Border Collie/German Shepherd) Christmas: Crying Children Photo Card Mama's Little Pugsley (Chinese Pug) Today's Tips: Ask Hardware Store To Special Order Washing Soda Use Wallpaper as Wrapping Paper Cleaning Hardwood Floors Without Leaving Streaks Give Savings Bonds for Christmas Reusing Milk Sleeves Remedy for Dark Circles Under Eyes Use Vinegar Instead of Dryer Sheets Carpet Samples Under the Litter Box Joke of the Day New Requests: Parvo Survival Rate Are There Doubled-Paned Shower Doors? Cleaning a Leather Purse Cleaning Porcelain Dolls Bonfire Birthday Party Ideas Homemade Cat Repellent Ink Stain on a Sweater Cleaning Grease Buildup on a Gas Stove Removing Jelly Stains from Carpet Adding Leg Height to Vintage Chairs Determining the Value of Collectibles for Estate Sale Magic Eraser Left White Marks on Hardwood Cleaning Black Spots in Toilet (Mold) Skylight Leaks Removing Sauerkraut Odor from Refrigerator and Freezer Halloween Party Ideas for 13 Year Olds Selling Used Wedding Decorations Oil Blowing Out of Dipstick Tube Natural Treatments for Hyperactivity in Children Nail Polish out of Afghan Removing Smoke Smell From a Car Glasses Are Cloudy From Dishwasher Front Load Washer Smells Terrible What Color Should I Paint My Kitchen Walls? Cat with Urinary Tract Infection Determining Fair Market Value of Vintage Furniture Front Loading Washing Machine Tearing Clothes Finding The Best CD Rate Homecoming Attire Advice 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: Scenery: Hot Air Balloons (Colorado Springs) Every year here Colorado Springs we have a hot Air Balloon race. We all get up at five and are in the park by 5:30 A.M. The balloon vehicles start arriving while it is still dark. Soon, we watch the sun start to kiss the mountains and then, before you know it, the balloons are inflating. This is a picture taken while they were filling it. By Debra from Colorado Springs, Colorado Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf80080325.tip.html Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Sammie (Border Collie/German Shepherd) Sammie is a 1 year old Border Collie and German Shepherd mix. We got her last August from a Tree Farm. She was in an orange bin with her brothers and sisters. My son fell in love with her immediately. She likes to play catch with my husband. Sammie is extremely intelligent. She sits, shakes, gives high 5's and high 10's. She rolls over and she turns around. She also knows the difference between inside voice (little bark) and outside voice (BIG bark) she also sings on command. When you ask her where Chewbacca is? she says "I don't know" in doggie whine and amazes everyone. By Alicia from Lindsay, CA Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf36502739.tip.html Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Christmas: Crying Children Photo Card Sometimes you just gotta go with it! By Lisa from Blair, OK Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22446835.tip.html Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Mama's Little Pugsley (Chinese Pug) Mama's Little Pugsley is a 9 year old Chinese Pug. Pugsley is my mother's pet. She got him as a Christmas present when he was 6 weeks old. He likes to dominate the household, especially the bed. He loves "ice skating" outside when its icy, digging in the kibbles and spitting out what he doesn't like and chasing his tail. He runs like the wind through the house and smashes his tail end against the wall. He will conquer the world with his cuteness. Pugsley sleeps in bed 24/7 with an ill person. He won't leave bedside for anything if someone is sick. He pretends he is the biggest dog ever and spoiled rotten. By becca25 from NY Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf91915718.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: Ask Hardware Store To Special Order Washing Soda For all the people that can't find Arm and Hammer Washing Soda, Ace Hardware will order that and Fels Naptha for you. I just did it! I have spent lots of time tracking down those products. I sure hope this helps someone. By Joanie from Praireville, LA Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf92463570.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Use Wallpaper as Wrapping Paper I have found that leftover wallpaper and shelf lining paper are an excellent source of gift wrapping and shipping paper. I find rolls or partial rolls at garage sales for very little, then use it to wrap gifts or mail packages. A few friends have commented on how really strong it is, so a little tape goes a long way! By Elle from Columbia, MO Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf57279421.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Cleaning Hardwood Floors Without Leaving Streaks To keep your laminate floors or your wooden floors streak free, it helps to dry them. I use my Swiffer for this but use a an old towel in it instead of the dust cloths. I wash a section, then use my Swiffer on it so I don't track over what I just did. Works every time! By Laniegirl from Iowa Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf93832868.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Give Savings Bonds for Christmas Save a bundle on expensive toys that kids will out grow or destroy and start them in the right direction of learning how to save, buy savings bonds. You will also save on wrapping paper, tape, gift tags and the hassle of wrapping gifts. This truly will help give kids a valuable lesson in saving and when they are all grown up and see how much their bonds are worth once cashed in, they will be glad they had the bonds over the years verses toys to clutter up there rooms. Source: All the children in our family will be receiving savings bonds for Christmas this year. By Mary from Camden, MI Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf13982031.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Reusing Milk Sleeves With the amount of milk my family goes through in a week, I was seeing too many litre milk sleeves going in the garbage. So now I cut them open along the top, wash them well and let them dry upside down. After which I can now use them as a sandwich bag with a bread or milk clip to fasten it. Saves money and less garbage is created. By Janice from Ontario, Canada Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf80669730.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Remedy for Dark Circles Under Eyes Here's a beauty tip that works for me. If you have dark patches under your eyes, grate some cucumber and apply it 2 or 3 times a day. By Dorothy from SA Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf28204538.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Use Vinegar Instead of Dryer Sheets I have been told this before, but I tried this last weekend. I was not happy with my dryer sheets; I would rather not use them. Our sons use them so we have lots of them. Our clothes and towels were not coming out very soft and had a bad smell. So I tried wetting a washcloth with vinegar and putting it in the dryer with the towels. Wow, when I took them out of the dryer they were soft and smelled so good. From now on I will use vinegar on a cloth. Source: I read this from a book also called "Jerry Bakers Old-Time Vinegar, Garlic, Baking Soda, and 101 More Problem Solvers". By Jamish Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf61095040.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Carpet Samples Under the Litter Box I use rug samples under my cat litter box. I buy the samples at carpet stores. They are bound, various colors and cheap. I usually can get them for $1 and in the color I want for my room. I vacuum them just like the rest of my floors and when they get dirty, I shampoo them with my other carpets and use carpet spot cleaner on them between shampoos. When they get too dirty, I throw them out and get a new one. Our cat loves to scratch this carpet even when she is not using the litter. 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/tf397930.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Dear Webby's Joke of the Day Sue noticed her husband standing on the bathroom scale, sucking in his ample stomach. Thinking he was trying to weigh less with this maneuver, she quipped, "I don't think that is going to help much, hon." "Sure it does," he said. "How else can I can see the numbers?" Read More Jokes Here: http://webby.com/humor New Requests: Parvo Survival Rate I have a 12 week old Puggle named Snickers. I took him to the vet today to find out if he had Parvo like we thought and he did. He is now in the hospital for 5-7 days. I hope and pray that my baby will make it. What are his chances of living? By Carter's Mommy from Friendly, WV Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf29980623.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Are There Doubled-Paned Shower Doors? I already asked about hard water stains on shower doors and I have tried everything that I can get. Some of it is still not coming off. My husband says it looks like there are two pieces of glass together and water has got between them. Is that possible? By Annmarie53 Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf59886923.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Cleaning a Leather Purse How can I clean a leather purse? By ourkar Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf448383.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Cleaning Porcelain Dolls I have numerous Indian porcelain dolls. Most of them have feathers on their head and throughout their clothes. In the few years that I've had them, they have gotten extremely dusty. I'm not sure how to clean them without messing up their braided hair and their feathers. Can someone please help me? Thank you. By PINKNPERDY69 from Hudson, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf898703.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Bonfire Birthday Party Ideas My 12 year old daughter is turning 13 next weekend. She wants to have a girl/boy bonfire party. What are some good ideas for having a girl/boy bonfire party? By the other mom from Concord, GA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf442292.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Homemade Cat Repellent Is there a natural repellent that I can use to keep strays from using my shrubs as a litterbox? By born2win from SE MN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf78664537.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Ink Stain on a Sweater How can I remove red ink from a sweater? By csiatta from Lansing, IL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf81058235.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Cleaning Grease Buildup on a Gas Stove How do I clean baked grease on the back of a gas stove? Thanks. By J. Burden from Boulder, CO Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf15556825.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Removing Jelly Stains from Carpet How can I remove week old blackberry jelly stains from carpet? My mother insists I try a little ammonia and water, and it will take it right out. I have a Dirt Devil carpet cleaner/extractor. But I don't want to go right to cleaning before the stain is out, and it gets set in there. What about vinegar or baking soda? I want to try myself before being charged for a carpet cleaning. Nothing was done to it right after it happened, it has just been sitting there. Should I try the ammonia/water mix? Suggestions? By jelimi from Portland, OR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf25215716.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Adding Leg Height to Vintage Chairs I recently bought some older chairs which are low to the floor. Anyone know how to go about increasing their height? By leahmgb Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf17371731.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Determining the Value of Collectibles for Estate Sale I am preparing a home for an estate sale and I'm finding lots of items that are vintage and/or collectibles. I'm having trouble finding values for these items. They range from angels, to suitcases, to cameras, to keys. I can't find anything like them on typical internet sites. How can I find their value without spending a fortune for appraisals? By Sharhen from Neosho, MO Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf75041094.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Magic Eraser Left White Marks on Hardwood I have worn hardwood floors and made the mistake of using a Magic Eraser to take off scuff marks, big mistake. Now I am looking for suggestions to cover the cloudy white spots. By littlebeth from Ontario, Canada Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf82375858.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Cleaning Black Spots in Toilet (Mold) I seem to be asking questions that I have no idea of how to fix. My toilet seems to be getting tiny black spots inside. It has been in the last few days. I have scrubbed it, even with cleaning products. The only thing that works is bleach. Is there any good product for this problem out there? And what is causing this? The bowl gets brush scrubbed daily, this stuff comes back overnight. Thanks again. By Joan from Girard, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf65029772.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Skylight Leaks It seems as if my sky light is leaking occasionally. It only does it at certain times when it rains in different direction. I had it worked on one time, this resulted in messing up slanted ceiling, now other side doing it. It doesn't leak a whole lot, but still leaks. Do I need a new one? It is about 13 years old. Help. Thanks. By Joan from Girard, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf20660275.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Removing Sauerkraut Odor from Refrigerator and Freezer I put a bowl of sauerkraut in my frig and didn't put a tight lid on it. Now my refrigerator and freezer smell like sauerkraut. What can I do to get rid of this smell? It's a side by side refrigerator/freezer. Thank-you. By sherrylw from Purvis, MS Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf56691713.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Halloween Party Ideas for 13 Year Olds I was wanting to know some good ideas on how to throw a good scary, Halloween party for my 13 year old daughter. By the other mom Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf76371116.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Selling Used Wedding Decorations I have a lot of wedding things from my daughter's wedding that I need to sell. Is this a place where I can do that? If not, does anyone know where I can sell the excess things I have, like: vases, tulle, flowers, etc. By bebe1959 Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf74629079.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Oil Blowing Out of Dipstick Tube What will cause motor oil to blow out of a dipstick tube? By genep. from Live Oak, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf23104252.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Natural Treatments for Hyperactivity in Children Does anyone know of any natural ways to treat hyperactivity in children? By Debbie52 from IL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22298836.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Nail Polish out of Afghan How do you get red nail polish off an afghan without ruining it? By LauraKaye from Bentonville, AR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf261542.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Removing Smoke Smell From a Car Can someone tell me how to get the cigarette smell out of a car? By niteagle77 from East Hampton, NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf510948.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Glasses Are Cloudy From Dishwasher What can I do to get the cloudy look off my glasses from washing them in the dishwasher? Thank you. By micheller1 from Brookhaven, MS Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf33436554.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Front Load Washer Smells Terrible I have a Bosch front load washer that smells terrible. A friend researched this and claims that it is from the "fish oils" in the liquid detergent. Has anyone ever heard of this? She suggested running "hot" water and bleach through it twice and then switching to use HE powder detergent instead. By KellyRaeB from OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf95006865.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | What Color Should I Paint My Kitchen Walls? My kitchen walls are painted with Sherwin Williams Copper Pot. I would love help in picking out a beige/tan color for my dining room that will compliment it. I prefer that the beige/tan does not have green or peach undertones. By anicole72 from Nova Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf39436050.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Cat with Urinary Tract Infection How many times does a cat urinate in 24 hour period? I am trying to figure out if my cat has a UTI, because she is urinating outside her litter box. By LisaAR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf231261.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Determining Fair Market Value of Vintage Furniture How do I find out the fair market value for my vintage furniture? By dawnio from Fort Worth, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf58302922.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Front Loading Washing Machine Tearing Clothes We own a front loading washing machine that has started tearing our clothing when we do a load, any suggestions why this is happening? By barrytc from Hershey, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf91641215.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Finding The Best CD Rate Where is the best place to get a good CD rate at present time? By brojrs from Murray, KY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf56981545.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Homecoming Attire Advice Our theme for homecoming this year is Renaissance Day. I have no idea what to wear that won't be super spendy, any ideas? By fun-n'-dorky from Cleghorn, IA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf27986636.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.