Daily Thrifty Tips - February 20, 2007

Volume Six, Number 35, February 20, 2007 (Read It Online) Here's today's featured request... Inexpensive Meal Ideas What are some inexpensive meal ideas? Jessica from IA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf246766.tip.html Crafts for Fun and Money If you are crafty person, the next time you make something, submit to ThriftyFun. We'll pay you $15 for each craft that we publish. For more information visit: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml Thanks for reading, Susan 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: Friendship Mobile Dukane (Doberman Retriever) Make Covers for Festive Pillows Sandal Keyholder Using Found Items For Garden Decor The Child's Lost Picture Chicago Bears Doily Today's Tips: Make Your Own Air Fresheners Homemade Silly Putty Use Wet Toothpicks To Sow Seeds Free E-Cards Supermarket Mistakes Clean Mixing Technique For Powdered Tempera Look For Stationery At Thrift Stores Protecting Sheets of Stamps Decorate Your Child's Toothbrush New Requests: 720i or 720p? Molding Around a Red Wall How do you carry your checkbook? Inexpensive Meal Ideas My Husband Cheated on Me 11 Year Old Birthday Party Ideas Printing From The Web Fear Factor Themed Party Baby Shower Locations Squirrels Tearing Up Outdoor Furniture Dog Shedding Discolored Silicone Sealant Cleaning a Silver Chain Sleepover Party Ideas for Girls Making a Money Tree Repairing Scratched Eyeglasses Kennel Cough More Reading: Saving Money on Taxes Today's Photos: Friendship Mobile Your friends will be hanging around all the time with this fun and easy project. View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf27207297.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Dukane (Doberman Retriever) Dukane is a 5 year old Doberman Retriever. I got Dukane from a Doberman breeder in Wisconsin. He likes to play out in the snow go for walks. He loves his football. Dukane is a loveable Doberman. He has a mind of his own. By Sheila from Wisconsin Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf43988077.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Make Covers for Festive Pillows I did not want to have store snowman pillows so I made covers for them. I use them all year. By Jo Anne from Copenhagen, NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf48014447.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Sandal Keyholder Take the dowel and kinda turn and push at the same time into bottom of sandal to make a hole. Then put glue in the hole and reinsert the dowel. View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf53514544.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Using Found Items For Garden Decor I love interesting places to display flowers. Especially when they are easy since I don't have much of a green thumb. Here are some things I've done: Used an old wheelbarrow by drilling holes in the bottom for drainage, throw in some gravel then top w/ soil and plants. Plants that hang off the sides look great and something big and flashy in the middle. You can also lay the barrow on its side and design from there. Another great tip is using old chairs that have lost their seat in them. By Sarah Cox from Hixson, TN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf72013009.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print The Child's Lost Picture This picture was made by a studio called Blue Light Studio; this picture was made in 1951-53. The photographer of the studio enlarged the picture to a 16 x 20 and used it as a display on a large easel on the sidewalk in front of their photography studio. The only picture we had of this picture was a 5" x 7" which was given to my parents for allowing the photo to be displayed. A few years ago, I contacted the studio that made this photograph. I was told that the original studio had been involved in a fire and all the photographs had been destroyed. This particular 16" x 20" photograph and easel had been in the fire. The lady I spoke with had worked at the studio and remembered the photo shoot of this child. The lady I spoke to had told me that before the fire that she wished she could find the family of this child in the picture. The child in this picture was me! I am sad that the original picture was lost in a fire. The original picture was in color. The dress I was wearing was yellow organza made by my mother. I am so grateful to have the 5 x 7 picture and now I know the story behind it. By WandaJo from Tennessee Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf88528178.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Chicago Bears Doily This is my own design doily, a 20 inch Chicago Bears doily. I love to crochet, crocheting relaxes me. I make them in all team colors. Thanks for looking. By Sheila from Wisconsin Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf89176992.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | 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: Make Your Own Air Fresheners Gel Air Freshener 2 Cups water 4 packets unflavored gelatin essential or fragrance oil food coloring Bring 1 cup of water almost to a boil. Stir in gelatin, stir until dissolved. Remove from heat, mix in food coloring, 10 drops of oil, and the other cup of water. Mix well. Pour into jars and let set. I used some old candle jars that have lids, that way I can put the lid on if wanted. The ones I made where cinnamon and spice. I put fresh cranberries, whole cloves and a stick of cinnamon in them for decoration. I had to pour in about half of the gelatin, put the things in it then lidded them. I put them in the refrigerator for a while to set quicker. After they set I pushed some of the things around the set gelatin, then poured the rest of the Gelatin on top. They look really cool! By Kathy Aromatic Room Fresheners I make aromatic room fresheners for Christmas presents. These are very easy and can be personalized by using different scents. Here is one I use as a good smelling antiseptic spray to use around the house. I spray it on doorknobs and light switches to kill germs. To a 2 oz bottle with a spritzer top add 1 tablespoon of alcohol (I use vodka) Add 10 drops of eucalyptus oil, 10 drops of lavender oil, 5 drops of rosemary oil, and 5 drops of tea tree oil. Fill the rest of the bottle with water. Shake and spray. FromThe Antibiotic Alternative by Cindy L.A. Jones, PhD By Liz Aromatic Room Fresheners I love to put an air freshener in almost every room in my house but have found that it becomes costly. I experimented one day and came up with this: I buy cheap (dollar store) small clay pots and I dip them in lemon juice or cheap dollar oils. Wait until it dries a bit, put a little moss in it and place it in the room. The scent stays for a very long time and has a lovely scent. My rooms are always fresh with the scent and have received many compliments from people as they can't figure out where it is coming from. Very inexpensive but effective. By Carolyn from E Northport NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf001188.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Homemade Silly Putty 1/2 cup Elmer's glue 1/2 cup liquid starch 3 drops food coloring Place white glue in a medium shallow dish. Slowly add liquid starch to glue, kneading with your fingers. The more you handle the silly putty, the better it will turn out! If desired, add drops of food coloring, any color you want and continue to knead with hands (I wear rubber gloves so my hands do not get stained, until color is fully incorporated). Makes about 1 cup. By Jan from Suring, WI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf306982.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Use Wet Toothpicks To Sow Seeds It is "sow" (pardon the pun) hard to sow small seeds into seed planters trying to get a head start on outdoor plants. But I had wooden toothpicks separating the seeds and I just wet the toothpick and a single seed would stick to it and I could then put it where I wanted it. I was working with basil seeds at the time, don't know if different seeds make any difference or not. Happy gardening! By George from Roanoke, VA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf34107233.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Free E-Cards I remember that in a previous newsletter you were asking for freebies for any occasion if you want to send an e-mail card. These places have some that are free: http://www.123Greetings.com http://bluemountain.com/ http://www.hallmark.com/ http://www.askalana.com/cards.shtml http://month2month.com/ http://postcards.org/ By LRP from Lowell, MA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf46570452.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Supermarket Mistakes Watch the display screen at the register as your groceries are being rung up. If you are overcharged, speak up. Before you leave the store double check the receipt and make sure that the prices were correct. If you catch the mistake before you leave the store you can quickly get a remedy at the service desk. The majority of all mistakes are not in your favor. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf52445099.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Clean Mixing Technique For Powdered Tempera When using powdered dye (such as tempera paint) and clay, place it in a disposable bowl, and place your hands inside plastic zip top bags. You will be able to mix by hand, and keep clean at the same time. By Sewcute from Long Island, NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf58089351.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Look For Stationery At Thrift Stores Did you know that, among other things, that you can find elegant stationery and greeting cards at thrift shops? Now that cards have gotten so expensive, I stock up whenever I see them, so that I have some on hand for every occasion! By pamphyila from Los Angeles Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf72025413.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Protecting Sheets of Stamps Keep stamps from sticking together by storing them in-between sheets of wax paper. Wax paper also works well for saving stickers, just put them on the shiny side of the wax paper. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73960099.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Decorate Your Child's Toothbrush Instead of buying an expensive character toothbrush for your child to brush their teeth, I find sticking character stickers on the handle of a plain, inexpensive toothbrush less costly and just as effective. By Vickie from Canton, MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf95293633.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Friends of ThriftyFun Dear Webby's Humor Letter Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter. Webby now has a blog, read his latest newsletter as well as back issues here: http://webby.com/humor/blog/ More Information: http://webby.com/humor New Requests: 720i or 720p? What HDTV puts out a better picture? 720i or 720p? Michael Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf18433936.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Molding Around a Red Wall I painted one wall red. Despite using the blue tape so it would not get on the other walls, it did. Is it acceptable to put molding around the red wall? Tiffany from Texas Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf21248595.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print How do you carry your checkbook? Ladies, do you prefer carrying a checkbook wallet or a checkbook cover? I read an article that indicated most women are dumping their checkbook wallets and simply carrying the checkbook cover. Seems like it is hard to keep things organized in my purse w/o a checkbook wallet. What do you carry? Onesummer Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf23455018.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Inexpensive Meal Ideas What are some inexpensive meal ideas? Jessica from IA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf246766.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print My Husband Cheated on Me My husband cheated on me. Well at least I feel like he did. We are really young and just had a baby this December. We have a really "pure" relationship. We normally don't go out with friends and never the opposite sex without one another. We are both very jealous people yet love each other. Last night he admitted that the night before he went out to a local bar and these two girls met with him for drinks, his friend bailed on him. He confessed this to me last night because he feels so guilty even though he didn't do anything and I would never have known about it. He said he didn't kiss or do anything sexual, and didn't even come on to either of them. If this is true, which I honestly do believe, what am I supposed to do!? He's begged me and promised to do whatever it takes. I'm so confused and hurt. He has been unfaithful to other women in the past. He seems so insecure because we just had a baby and he has depressed because he can't take care of us. To him, that night was just fun and an escape. Is it worth me leaving? Brittany Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf29874267.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print 11 Year Old Birthday Party Ideas What are good games for 11 year olds? Liana from NZ Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf299228.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Printing From The Web When I print something from a web site it misses the writing at the edge. What do I have to do to alter that on my computer when I want to print something out? Jackie Young from Australia Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf34177454.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Fear Factor Themed Party I need some ideas for fear factor party for an 11 year old. Can anyone help me? Thanks, Taylor from houston, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf398584.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Baby Shower Locations Can someone help me find a place to have a baby shower? Tiffany from Madison, TN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf58739242.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Squirrels Tearing Up Outdoor Furniture I need help on how to stop squirrels from tearing up and taking out the insides of brand new cushions on outdoor furniture. Debbie from Dallas, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf61384946.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Dog Shedding How do I stop dog shedding? Rachel from Des Moines, IA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf75925866.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Discolored Silicone Sealant How can I prevent or remove the black fungal discoloration in the silicone sealant surrounding wet tiled areas and shower trays? Brian from Glastonbury, Somerset. UK Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf76139810.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Cleaning a Silver Chain How do I clean a sterling silver chain that has gone black? Vera Adam from Margate, SA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf798863.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Sleepover Party Ideas for Girls What should I do for my fourteenth birthday party sleepover? Kelly from San Jose, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf82058682.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Making a Money Tree We want to give my 85 year old mother money for her birthday, we want to make a money tree. Any suggestions on how to craft one? I know there are certain ways the dollars need to be folded. etc. Or money roses would be fine if anyone knows how to make them. Madeline from York, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf864928.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Repairing Scratched Eyeglasses How do you repair scratches on eye glasses? I have scratches in the glass and they are deep. Can I get a home remedy? Maria Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf947057.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Kennel Cough My dog has kennel cough. I took him too the vet got meds, now after 2 weeks coughing again. Anyone know anything about this? Sue from Shoals, Indiana Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf96579308.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print More Reading: Saving Money on Taxes Tips for saving money on taxes and tax preparation. Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf64610992.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Interactive Coupon Swap! Swap coupons with other ThriftyFun.com users. Seed Swap! Swap seeds with other ThriftyFun.com users.