Daily Thrifty Tips - October 21, 2009

Vol. 8, Num. 206, October 21, 2009 (Read It Online) Do you have a Homemade Halloween Costume ideas to share with the ThriftyFun Community? Submit a photo with instructions for making it and you could win a $25.00(US) prize. We will give away three $25.00 prizes for the best costume entries. The winning entries will be chosen using the ThriftyFun rating feature. ThriftyFun users can vote for tips by clicking the Thumbs Up button. Submit your contest costume here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_costumecontest.ldml 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: Add Safety Glow Tape to Your Lampshade Take Photos of Wedding Preparations Felisha (Tabby) Cecil, Winnie and Dave (Boston Terriers and Pug-Boston Mix) Today's Tips: Homemade Hand Cream How Many Hours Of Work Does It Cost? Vinegar for Cleaning Kitchen Up Grease Halloween Costume Safety Tips Save Pumpkin Seeds for Chickens Hot Water Could Cause Kidney Stones in Pets Add Pieces of Soap to Loofah Gloves Donate Excess Food From Your Pantry or Freezer Joke of the Day New Requests: Making a Courthouse Wedding Special "Sisters Never Forget" Cup from Hallmark Rates for Cleaning Services Picnic Games For Teens Ideas for Candle Arrangements Keeping Dog's Ears Floppy Removing Hair Dye from a Painted Door Dyeing Linen and Viscose Curtains Sewer Odor Coming from Sink Cat Pee Odor on a Bed Permanent Marker on Vehicle Interior Removing Odor From Dresser Drawers More Reading: Craft: Fun Star Crayon 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: Add Safety Glow Tape to Your Lampshade Peel off backing from safety glow tape and decorate a lamp shade with it. Mine has a simple design. As it charges in the day, it is then ready for night, acting like a nightlight for free! Look around the room and see where else you can use the glow tape for a little comfort light at night. I have it on the inside of several door casings in my home and normally don't have to switch on lights to pass through dark rooms! Invest in some quality glow paint and, for a little cash, teenagers could offer to paint the shades (or other items) or do a decoration on them for other people. Once it catches on, you might have a small at home business you could work from out of any vented out of the way space! By Melody_yesterday from Otterville, MO Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf74384416.tip.html Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Take Photos of Wedding Preparations Don't forget to take photos of the wedding preparation. They make great memories. My granddaughter's trip to the beauty shop made a great photo. The look on her face tells the story By Vguy from Earle, AR Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf75381512.tip.html Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Felisha (Tabby) Felisha is an 8 year old Tabby. She was born with us. She likes to sleep, eat, and rule over our other two cats! Felisha has been the owner of our home for 8 years. In this photo, she is enforcing rule #43: Use the kitchen sink if I am relaxing in the bathroom sink. By Theresa from Udall, Kansas Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf56937520.tip.html Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Cecil, Winnie and Dave (Boston Terriers and Pug-Boston Mix) Cecil, Winnie and Dave are one, 6 and one (respectively). and are Boston Terriers and Pug/Boston Mix (Bug.) I got Winnie in 2003, Cecil and Dave in 2008. They love to eat and sleep, they are their own little pack. Here they wear their shirts that I bought them after I had surgery in NY. They keep me alive! By Amy from Dayton OH Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf40366801.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: Homemade Hand Cream It makes your skin really smooth. Ingredients: 1/2 cup petroleum Jelly 1/2 cup Crisco 1/2 tsp. almond oil Directions: Mix and put in a jar. If you want, you can add food color to it and put in a fragrance oil. By Slumbergirl234 Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf31134158.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | How Many Hours Of Work Does It Cost? We have a family of 8, including 4 teenagers who love stuff. Whenever we or they want to buy something, we have one simple rule: Never think of an item's price! Instead we think of how many hours we will have to work to pay for the item. It keeps our hands in our pockets every time. It also works well for a teenager who has a job. Source: Our own family philosophy. By Lynn from Northern Israel Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf42771340.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Vinegar for Cleaning Kitchen Up Grease Plain apple cider vinegar with a paper towel does a great job of cleaning off the grease from our enameled stove! (I rinse with water.) By Pamphyila from L.A., CA Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf28951473.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Halloween Costume Safety Tips Regardless of if your costume is bought or homemade, please use a "homemade" face. As a volunteer with our local fire dept and a first responder, I find it sad that every year at least one child is injured by their costume. Instead of a mask, consider using makeup to create the face. A mask is often bumped out of place and blocks vision. Some masks also contain lead (from the paints) which can be inhaled. Other times small children have had them block their nose and mouth while sleeping and have suffered from a lack of oxygen. So instead of a mask, draw those whiskers and such on the face. Also, if your child's costume has a tail, have them practice stairs with it. You may need to shorten it so that they don't trip over their tail. Don't let them ride their bikes with sandals, tails or other costume parts that can be tangled in the brakes or spokes of the bike. Also avoid materials that are highly flammable. Try to make it with pajama fabric if you can. It is marked as being flame retardant. One step too close to a Jack O lantern can result in third degree burns. Try to place some reflective tape on all sides of the costume and give your child a flash light. Avoid costumes that are of dark or black colors. Lastly, please don't use draw strings around the face or neck area. Use elastic string instead, and make sure it is loose and won't choke a child if caught on something. Source: very sad experiences By April Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf929815.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Save Pumpkin Seeds for Chickens If you have chickens (or know someone who does) save the pumpkin seeds for them. Pumpkin seeds are a natural and safe dewormer for chickens! By mom-from-missouri from NW Missouri Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73401394.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Hot Water Could Cause Kidney Stones in Pets Some time ago I read in one of the newsletters that as you are waiting for the hot water to warm up, you can give that water to you dogs. In speaking to my Veterinarian, she said that the minerals from the hot water tank would cause kidney stones and not to give water from the hot water tank to the pets. By Marilyn Save the Earth ... it's the only planet with chocolate! Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf61620850.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Add Pieces of Soap to Loofah Gloves A good use for loofah gloves is to put scrapes of soap inside the hand of the glove and use in the shower. Great way to use slivers of soap! By Nunley from Huntington, WV Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf46893614.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Donate Excess Food From Your Pantry or Freezer My frugal self sometimes gets carried away with triple coupon offers and BOGO's. Then comes the day that I realize I have two large jars of mayonnaise, three bottles of ketchup, etc. Then there's the freezer with meats purchased in bulk and frozen leftovers. These items are still edible, but they really need to be used soon. I can't bear wasting food, but knowing there is someone out there who could really use these extras gives me the boost I need to clean out. Our local food distribution center gladly accepts both frozen, perishable and non-perishable foods. They even have a chute for dropping down the non-perishables after hours. When we have leftovers from a party or a church function, the leftovers are taken to the homeless shelter or Loaves and Fishes where they are quickly and gratefully received and distributed. By Sandy from Elon, NC Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf32945996.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Dear Webby's Joke of the Day The efficiency expert concluded his lecture with a note of caution. "You don't want to try these techniques at home." "Why not?" asked someone from the back of the audience. "I watched my wife's routine at breakfast for years," the expert explained, "She made lots of trips to the refrigerator, stove, table and cabinets, often carrying just a single item at a time. 'Hon,' I suggested, 'Why don't you try carrying several things at once?'" The voice from the back asked, "Did it save time?" The expert replied, "Actually, yes. It used to take her 20 minutes to get breakfast ready. Now I do it in seven." Read More Jokes Here: http://webby.com/humor New Requests: Making a Courthouse Wedding Special My fiancee and I have decided to go to the courthouse (or maybe our pastor's chambers) to be married. Is there any thing we can do to make this kind of special? We don't have much money. By Onesummer Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf36253119.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | "Sisters Never Forget" Cup from Hallmark I am looking for a cup from Hallmark from 2 years ago. It is a sister cup "Sisters never forget, this is both good and bad". I gave my sister one and my brother-in-law broke it. I then replaced it and guess what , he broke that one, too. It is really special because we gave each other one for Christmas the same year. By Connie from Des Moines, IA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf80010286.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Rates for Cleaning Services I want to start a housecleaning service and have no idea what to charge. Is it better to charge by the job or by the hour? There will be 2 people working at one time. What would be a fair price to charge for my area? I am near Atlanta, GA. By Mimi from Atlanta, GA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf59823199.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Picnic Games For Teens I need help finding outside games for high school kids at a cookout. Can you help? By Heidilou from Bern, KS Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf62635119.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Ideas for Candle Arrangements Does anyone have ideas for candle arrangements for a pink bathroom in a new house? By Beverly Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf98923296.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Keeping Dog's Ears Floppy I have a four month old chihuahua dachshund mix. He had the traditional dachshund ears that flop over and now his ears kinda crease down the middle the long way and kinda stick out. Is there any way to tape them down so they can be trained to be floppy again? And before you say it's cruel and to accept my dog the way he is, I love him to death, I just love the floppy ears. Also, what will his grown up weight be? He's 5 lbs now and almost 5 months old. By MissRhonda from Palm Beach, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf51338588.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Removing Hair Dye from a Painted Door Dark hair dye was splattered on a wooden door that has been painted white. I don't know what to do to remove it. By Destini from Atoka, OK Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf25185520.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Dyeing Linen and Viscose Curtains Can I dye some curtains that are 55% linen and 45% viscose and if so, with what dye product? By Corrine from Billings, MT Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf74228630.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Sewer Odor Coming from Sink I own a small restaurant. I have a terrible sewer smell coming from my sinks, when I pour large amounts of water down the drain or use the dishwasher. If I turn on the air conditioner its worse. I have replaced all the kitchen pipes, put in new pee traps, and had all the toilet seals cleaned, and the vent stack. I put in a grease trap, had the sewer lines cleaned out twice, had the lines with a camera to check for cracks, had a smoke test done to check for leaks, and raised the roof vent. It still smells mainly on hot days. Can anyone offer any help? I also had a plumber check and he found nothing. By Carol Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf62986638.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Cat Pee Odor on a Bed The cat has sprayed on my bed and I would like to know, how do I get rid of the odor? What should use I use? By Willy F. from Penticton, BC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf40652021.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Permanent Marker on Vehicle Interior My grandchildren went outside to get the oldest one's homework (kindergarten) and when they didn't return in 5 minutes my daughter went out there to see what was going on. They were writing on the interior of the car with a permanent black marker on the dash board and the console. How do we get this off? Please help! Thanks. By Kimberly from Cuyahoga Falls, OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf75850054.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Removing Odor From Dresser Drawers I've inherited a chest of drawers and matching bureau from my mother. The interior and drawers stink. I'm at a loss as to what the odor is much less how to get rid of it. The odor reminds me of Estee Lauder's Youth Dew perfume with a sharp vinegary overtone. I've tried cedar eggs, mothballs, potpourri, bleach, and fabric softener (liquid and dryer sheets). Does anyone have any idea what might work to kill the odor? I'm handicapped and on a limited budget, so I could really use a great home remedy that is very easy to use. Thank you in advance for any suggestions! By Susan from Brentwood, NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf761977.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 More Reading: Craft: Fun Star Crayon Remove the paper wrappers on all the crayons. I used an exacto knife for speed, but if you have children helping with this project it would be best to do it by hand. Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf54313151.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Interactive Coupon Swap! Swap coupons with other ThriftyFun.com users. Seed Swap! Swap seeds with other ThriftyFun.com users.