Daily Thrifty Tips
Volume Three, Number 172, November 4, 2004
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello,
Here is some feedback we recently received on the website that I wanted to highlight.
"... I want to Thank JoesGirl, Debra in Co and all others who post tips. You have given me so many tips that I now use daily...each time I open TF email I know I will learn something.
Thank You. Thank YOU. THANK YOU for tips and taking a moment to share them with me. I feel blessed."
From Annie~Butterfly~
Just a reminder that tips are read and appreciated by a lot of people.
Thanks for all the great submissions and feedback,
Susan
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Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Tips:
- Clorox Clean Ups
- Underarm Perspiration Stains
- Ground Beef Tip
- Vinegar for Burnt Pans
- Spam (the meat kind) in Place of Ham
- Complimentary Gift Wrap
- New Arrivals Thrift Store
- Keeping Green Onions (Scallions) Fresh
- Quick and Easy Snack Bars
- Convenience Foods - Make Your Own Instant Oatmeal
- Bathwater Temperature for Babies
- Avoiding the Cool Down Cycle
- Quick Touch Ups Before Going Out
- Pillow Case: VERY Easy to Sew Gift Idea.
- FoodSaver Tip: Freeze Individual Servings
- Waiting for the shower to get hot? Collect that water.
- Chest & Sinus Herbal Relief
- Inexpensive Dusting Cloths
- Athlete's Foot Balm Recipe
- Swedish Meatballs
- Window Cleaner Recipe
- Luck With Finances
- Cutting Layers To Make a Four Layer Cake
- Too Much Liquid in Stew?
- Homemade Antibacterial Wipes
- Peppermint Cookies With Almond Bark
- No Burn Cookie Baking
New Requests:
- Banana Peel For House Plants?
- How to Remove Underarm Sweat Stains from Light Clothing?
- Christmas Basket Food Wrapping?
- Grandma's Cupboard Wallpaper
- Garbage Can Organization?
More Reading:
- Holiday Gift Giving Ideas
- Crocheted Barbie Clothes
- Fall Cleaning Fiascoes and Other Words of Wisdom
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Today's Tips
Clorox Clean Ups
1/2 roll BOUNTY paper towels (the others turn to mush)
2 and 1/2 cups water
1/4 cup bleach
Cut BOUNTY in half with serrated or electric knife.Place cut side down in airtight container. Boil water, add bleach, pour over paper towels. Remove wet cardboard tube. To use, pull out wipes one at a time from center.
I use a Folger's plastic coffee can for my container. It's the PERFECT SIZE!! To use: fill with cold water and 1/4 cup white vinegar and let sit overnight, this removes the coffee smell.
Reba Gayle Shurden, Mississippi
View Article: Click Here
Underarm Perspiration Stains
Used 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water when trying to remove under arm perspiration stains from clothing.
By MISS DI
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Ground Beef Tip
When buying ground beef, I usually buy a 10 lb. roll and bring it home and divide it up into my own freezer bags in whatever size package I want. Saves time at the grocery store as well as saving me a little money for buying the larger amount.
By Robin
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Vinegar for Burnt Pans
If you have scorched or burnt on mess in a saucepan, all you need to do is pour in a little vinegar and put it on the stove to boil for a few minutes. The stuck on mess will clean right off.
By Robin
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Spam (the meat kind) in Place of Ham
I have found that Spam is a great and inexpensive substitute for ham in scalloped potatoes. Just use the same way you would use regular ham.
By Robin
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Complimentary Gift Wrap
Always ask if stores will do a complimentary gift wrap when you buy a gift. Saves time and money!
By Linda
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New Arrivals Thrift Store
If you frequent thrift stores, ask when new shipments generally arrive and find out how long it typically takes for the store staff to get the merchandise out on the floor for sale. This info will allow you to avoid searching through the same items over again without waiting so long that the "good stuff" is picked over.
By Leann D
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Keeping Green Onions (Scallions) Fresh
I cut the whole bunch of green onions (scallions) when I bring them home from the store. In a plastic bag or plastic container with a paper towel, they last so much longer than uncut in the crisper-where they always get slimy too quickly. Then they are ready to use when I need them.
By Linda
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Quick and Easy Snack Bars
1 1/2 cups peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup corn syrup
Melt these together in a saucepan.
Mix in 6 cups cereal - I like Cheerios (generic) or Rice Krispies. Pat into 9 X 13 pan. Kids love them - so do I!
By Linda
View Article: Click Here
Convenience Foods - Make Your Own Instant Oatmeal
As a busy single mom, I can certainly appreciate convenience foods. It is not necessary, however, to pay a high price for convenience with a little advance planning. For example, you can make your own flavored instant oatmeal packets by simply combining the ingredients (quick oats and the flavoring of your choice - brown sugar, cinnamon, etc) in a ziplock baggie ahead of time. If something requires both wet and dry ingredients, you can use two baggies (wet ingredients in one, dry in the other) and combine when preparing. To use the oatmeal example again, oats and sugar would go in one baggie, a mashed banana and vanilla in another.
By Leann D
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Bathwater Temperature for Babies
There is no need to purchase a special "bathwater thermometer" for your baby's bath if you already own a fever thermometer. In reality, you will be able to tell if the water is too hot, or the temperature your baby prefers, by sticking your own wrist in the bathwater. But once you have determined what that "perfect" temperature is with a fever thermometer, you can pass this info on to babysitters or grandparents who might be giving the little one a bath.
By Leann D
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Avoiding the Cool Down Cycle
There is a "cool down" period at the end of most dryer cycles. To save energy, do not let your laundry spin through this part of the cycle if you are drying consecutive loads. Your dryer will have to reheat for the next load, wasting energy. Instead, quickly remove your dried laundry just before the cool-down period and immediately put the next load in to be dried. If it is your last load that is drying, then DO let the dryer run through the cool-down to take advantage of the residual heat.
By Leann D
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Quick Touch Ups Before Going Out
Keep a lint brush by the door for quick touch-ups before going out. Works great on pet hair. To clean quickly, rub the lint brush in the "wrong" direction with a damp washcloth.
By Leann D
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Pillow Case: VERY Easy to Sew Gift Idea.
Here's a good gift idea for almost ANYONE on your Christmas list: A Pillow Case. For one standard size pillow case, purchase one yard of cotton fabric. I buy remnants usually for just a dollar or two a yard.
1. Fold fabric lengthwise, right sides together. Stitch across one end and along one long side.
2. Zig-zag around the top of the case.
3. Fold hem and iron under 1/2".
4. Fold hem and iron under 4" and sew in place using a straight stitch. After that, you can add any decorative touches you want--ribbons, embroidery, etc.
By Mary Ellen
View Article: Click Here
FoodSaver Tip: Freeze Individual Servings
I freeze a lot of leftovers in individual servings in food saver bags. If it is liquidy, I freeze it in the bag before I seal it. This way if I don't want to cook, everybody picks what they want. Also good for taking to work.
By Vickie
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Waiting for the shower to get hot? Collect that water.
You don't have to let the water go down the drain when running the hot water to the dishwasher or shower. Put a pitcher under it and use the cooler water left in the pipes for dog water, plant watering, etc.
By Lynn
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Chest & Sinus Herbal Relief
Here's a recipe that may help your household during this cold and flu season.
Ingredients:
2 drops lavender
2 drops tea tree
2 drops eucalyptus
Directions:
Boil a pot of water and remove from the stove. While still steaming, add 2 drops eucalyptus, 2 drops lavender and 2 drops tea tree. Cover bowl and head with towel and inhale for at least 3 minutes. KEEP EYES CLOSED.
By Kathy
View Article: Click Here
Inexpensive Dusting Cloths
Once I am done with a load of laundry, there is always a dryer sheet to be thrown away. Of course, it's only half of a dryer sheet :-) I keep the sheets and use them to dust my furniture, wipe down the washer and dryer, and other surfaces (except kitchen counters). I save a bundle by not purchasing those furniture polish cloths!
By Misti
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Athlete's Foot Balm Recipe
Ingredients:
- 4 tsp. wheat-germ oil
- 4 tsp. jojoba oil
- 1 1/2 tsp. beeswax
- 25 drops tea-tree essential oil
Directions:
In a small double boiler, heat the wheat-germ oil with the jojoba oil and the beeswax just until the beeswax melts. The mixture should have a creamy consistency.
Remove the pan from the heat and stir the cream vigorously until it has cooled enough to touch easily with your hand.
Mix the essential oils into the cream. Pour the cream into a small cosmetic jar and apply as necessary. The foot balm will keep for about 1 year.
By Kathy
View Article: Click Here
Swedish Meatballs
Here is an inexpensive and fast way to make Swedish meatballs.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound hamburger
- Crushed crackers
- 1-2 eggs
- Garlic powder
- Cream of mushroom soup
Directions:
Mix hamburger, crackers, eggs and garlic powder well and roll in to
meatballs. Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 30-45 minutes, until nearly done. Drain fat.
For gravy, put the soup in a bowl and blend with 1/2 can of milk per can of soup. Pour over meatballs and bake another 15 min or so until soup is hot.
May serve with mashed potatoes topped with more of the cream of mushroom soup gravy.
By Kathy
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Window Cleaner Recipe
For an excellent window cleaner, I use 1/3 each of alcohol, vinegar, and water.
By Alleen
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Luck With Finances
"Luck comes to all who work at making it happen." I think this is especially true when it comes to finances.
By Kathy
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Cutting Layers To Make a Four Layer Cake
Measure a well cooled cake layer up the side and mark the half way point with toothpicks, in about four different places. Using the toothpicks as your guide, slice the cake horizontally, with a serrated knife, into half. This will make four layers out of a two layer cake. I use different fillings between layers before I frost the cake.
By Gladys Hill
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Too Much Liquid in Stew?
Sometimes I have added too much liquid to my homemade stew. If I don't have time to simmer the stew, to reduce the liquid, I add about a quarter cup or so of instant oatmeal. It absorbs some of the liquid, making it thicker. On top of that, it adds something that is healthy for you.
By Gladys Hill
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Homemade Antibacterial Wipes
Ingredients:
1/2 roll BOUNTY paper towels (the others turn to mush)
2 and 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup antibacterial type cleaner (Mr. Clean, etc.)
Directions:
Cut paper towels in half with serrated or electric knife. Place cut side down in airtight container. Boil water, add cleaner, pour over paper towels. Remove wet cardboard tube. To use, pull out wipes from center.
I use a Folger's plastic coffee can for my container. It's the PERFECT SIZE!! To use: fill with cold water and 1/4 cup white vinegar and let sit overnight, this removes the coffee smell.
Reba Gayle Shurden, Mississippi
View Article: Click Here
Peppermint Cookies With Almond Bark
A very easy cookie to make for Christmas that freezes well. Dip Ritz crackers in white almond bark. Take some peppermint candies and run them through a food processor or blender, a finer processor is best for us. Sprinkle peppermints the on top. As much peppermint as you want.
Also peanutbutter between crackers then dipped in almond bark and then sprinkled with sprinkles are good! or drizzled with the opposite color bark. Put your sprinkles and peppermint on before they harden.
- Carol
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No Burn Cookie Baking
I bake all of my cookies on a stoneware pizza pan. Any stoneware oven piece is perfectly good. I spread a very thin layer of oil on. Just enough to coat it but not enough to fry the cookies. If your stoneware is older, then you do not need any oil, in most cases. My cookies never burn. Perfect every time. Also great for oven baked french fries without the oil.
Maryanne of ON
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Other Active Topics
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New Requests:
Banana Peel For House Plants?
After reading about banana peels helping roses, wonder what effect they would have on houseplants - would they have an adverse reaction to the plant? Thanking in advance for any help.
Maggie
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Christmas Basket Food Wrapping?
I have decided to make baskets of homemade goodies this year - brownies, cupcakes, cookies, etc. I am trying to come up with a festive, inexpensive way to wrap them and keep the food fresh. The easiest (yet less-thrifty) method I can think of is red and green cling wrap courtesy of Glad, but I'd really like to do something less expensive. At the same time, I plan to make them several days before Christmas (and gradually), so I don't want the food to get stale/yucky before delivery.
Thoughts?
TIA!
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How do you reduce the risk of mold on stored clothes?
We have a lot of baby clothes that we would like to store now that she has grown. I purchased some of the clear plastic, flip-lid boxes from Home Depot, and we have put the clothes in plastic bags.
But - we live near the ocean, and have a high humidity environment, and are wondering what other steps you would recommend to reduce the risk of mold on stored clothes?
They would be stored for a couple of years at a time, so we are looking for some solution that doesn't require maintenance (like Damp-Rid).
Any ideas?
Thanks!
Ricos from San Diego
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Grandma's Cupboard Wallpaper
Patricia from Wisconsin: I'm looking for a few rolls of discontinued wallpaper. It is from the Warner "Grandma's Cupboard" book, stock # CUP7181. Thanks for your help.
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Garbage Can Organization?
Does anyone have suggestions for storage of outside garbage? We have a lot of squirrels and my teens don't always put the garbage in efficiently. I was thinking of some kind of little shed but am trying to keep the cost down as 4x8 pressure treated wood is about $25 a sheet-any thoughts?-thanks-marie de
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More Reading:
Holiday Gift Giving Ideas
By Gregory Thomas
It's that time of year again, time for traveling, decorating, holiday parties,
family, friends, relatives and of course. . . . shopping.
View Article: Click Here
Crocheted Barbie Clothes
By Debra Frick
These are patterns that I have collected and modified to fit Barbie. Lots of different yarns can be used to make these outfits different. These are quick and easy for an intermediate crocheter but easy enough for a beginner to try also. Please experiment with the different yarns. Most of these can be made with left over yarn from other projects or leftovers bought at a thrift store. I am warning you right now that these can become addictive so if you make some extras, find a needy little girl that will enjoy them. Happy Crocheting.
View Article: Click Here
Fall Cleaning Fiascoes and Other Words of Wisdom
By Christine Louise Hohlbaum
Spring cleaning passed me by this year. Completely. I just seemed to miss it. So when fall rolled around, I was determined to set things straight. My house had tumbled into a state of complete disarray. The plume of fruit flies that billowed out of my kitchen when we returned from our late-summer vacation was proof that things had gotten out of hand.
View Article: Click Here
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