Daily Thrifty Tips - September 17, 2009

Vol. 8, Num. 182, September 17, 2009 (Read It Online) Do you have a money saving tip to share with the ThriftyFun community? Submit it here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_contest.ldml Be sure to give a "thumbs up" to tips and recipes 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: Sunset on Lake Missaukee (Michigan) Pantyhose Onion Holder Molly (Guinea Pig) Lucky (Bichon Frise) Wildlife: Fawn Today's Tips: Protecting Window Sills from Pet Scratches Spice Up Your Coffee With Cinnamon Stick Shake Your Clothes Out Before Drying Oil Cleansing Method For Facial Cleanser Use Plastic Bin for Kid's Gift Wrap Expand Your Vocabulary With Dictionary Sites Keep a Family Piggy Bank Organize Band Aids by Size Make Your Own Ice for the Ice Chest Panty Hose on Vacuum Wand When Dusting Joke of the Day New Requests: Baby Wipe Caused Leather Couch To Peel Homemade Cat Treats Removing Grease Stains from Clothing Adjust My Computer's Screen Size Small Business Production of Frozen Potato Chips Ideas for Diaper Gifts? Ideas for a Frugal Wedding Homemade Cheap and Easy Hand Cream Kitchen Flooring Ideas Organizing Childrens Clothing Cleaning a Pillow Top Mattress Cleaning Patent Leather Water Level Control on Washer Not Working Discouraging Cats from Using Neighbor's Yards for Cat Box White Heat Marks on Wood Table Painting Counter Tops To Look Like Granite Cleaning Bamboo Floors Painting Laminate Countertops Tiny Brown Flying Insects ASPCA Pet Vaccination Truck Asking Someone to Homecoming Buying Imprinted Pens Using Floor Tiles on Counters Frugal Wedding Location in Long Island Water from Air Conditioner Left Stain on Carpet Finding Old Rolling Spindle Exercise-Massage Equipment Protection and Treatment for Insect Bites 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: Sunset on Lake Missaukee (Michigan) Sunset on Lake Missaukee (9/10/09) By Dicam from Lake City MI Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf26883726.tip.html Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Pantyhose Onion Holder Save your knee highs and the legs from pantyhose to use to store onions. Just put onion in hose and tie a knot. Add another onion and tie a knot etc. Hang in a cool dry area. When you need an onion, cut it off the bottom below the knot. Source: A friend told me about this years ago. It helps to keep onions from rotting. By Hate litter from NC Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf43990250.tip.html Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Molly (Guinea Pig) Molly is 1 year, and 1 month old She is a mix of a American Smooth haired and Coronet guinea pigs. I got Molly at a great pet store that was experienced and knew a lot about each animal. Molly loves playing with large cardboard tubes, running around in the grass, and sitting in my lap. Molly can do many tricks, like following a carrot in circles, running up and down a toy tower, and pushing your elbow with her nose when she wants to go to her cage. By Cara from Farefield , IL Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf25038337.tip.html Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Lucky (Bichon Frise) Lucky is 3.5 years old and a Bichon Frise. Our neighbors gave him to us when our cat died, he was a great comfort to our son. He loves to chase after stuffed animals and swim at the doggy park's pond. Loves crowds of kids and noise, likes to be in the thick of it and to be included in kids' games, he's a kid magnet as he is very sweet and everyone wants to pet him. He is a cuddle-bug, he loves to be petted and will lay on his back if he sees anyone approaching, loves to sleep too! If it is past 9pm and he is on his bed already, he passes out on the floor and sleeps soundly. By Lourdes from Virginia Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf52634085.tip.html Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Wildlife: Fawn This is a picture of a baby deer that we found on our property the other day when we went to pick tomatoes. She was lying right beside the garden fence and she made a little cry, or we would never have known that she was there. I was able to take some great photos with my phone before leaving. We saw her later with her mom, so we know that she was not abandoned. By one.of.a.kind from Locust Fork, AL Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf66275202.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: Protecting Window Sills from Pet Scratches Go to a hardware store and purchase plastic stair protectors. Turn the protectors upside down with the little plastic tips are sticking up, and place on window sill. Once your pet puts their paws on the little plastic pieces, they will soon realize that it makes them uncomfortable, and will stop using the windowsill to look out the window. This works great and truly does save on windowsills. By Cathy from Plainfield, IL Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf52867042.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Spice Up Your Coffee With Cinnamon Stick Give yourself a no-calorie treat by adding a drop of quality real vanilla to your coffee. A sprinkle of cinnamon powder or pumpkin pie spice can also be added for those wanting a spicier fare. Also, instead of buying chocolate coffee creamer, you can use plain chocolate syrup that you may already have in your fridge to your coffee along with a bit of cream. Another favorite of mine is to add a tablespoon of Tang to my coffee. This reminds me of the coffee served with orange zest I was once served at a fancy coffee bar back in the early 70's (before there was Starbucks). For an extra-special treat, turn your coffee into a dessert, by adding a squirt of whipped cream. A great way to use canned whipped cream left over from pot-lucks and family get-togethers. By Cyinda Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf808983.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Shake Your Clothes Out Before Drying Simple tip to save energy and money when washing / drying clothes. After you wash your clothes shake your clothes out prior to putting them in the dryer. This will save energy and $ getting your clothes more dry. Also, if there is anything like coins, lipstick or crayons, this is an added prevention to prevent them from being dried too, and leaving more stains through the melting process. By Gingerlilymay from Irvington, NY Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf45178197.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Oil Cleansing Method For Facial Cleanser Instead of spending money on high priced facial cleansers, I now use the Oil Cleansing Method. Take a clean bottle and fill it with 1/3 Castor oil and the remainder olive oil. Shake well to combine. Cleanse face with a quarter size puddle massaging into face well for several minutes. Then, soak a washcloth in hot water and drape over face to let steam. Do this at least 3 times and after the final steaming, wipe face with the washcloth. Your face should feel soft and smooth and not oily at all. This is a good remedy for people who suffer from oily skin, ironically. It replenishes your skin's natural oil and sebum production theoretically will slow down. If you suffer from acne, adding a couple of drops of tea tree oil will help clear up pimples. This is gentle enough to use daily. Source: http://www.theoilcleansingmethod.com/ By iterpy from Wisconsin Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf98221572.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Use Plastic Bin for Kid's Gift Wrap My daughter in law has been going through the granddaughter's toys and arranging them by type, like Barbie's, etc. She purchased some plastic bins of different sizes for this task. I suggested to her that she ask all who customarily give gifts to the kid, put them in a plastic bin of appropriate size. Dollar Stores have them and they don't cost any more than traditional gift wrap. By MartyD from Houston, TX Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf46889978.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Expand Your Vocabulary With Dictionary Sites In newsletter I just read, a reader told about her word of the day project for her kids. It is an excellent idea, wish I had done it. But, why stop with the kids, I have for several years gotten newsletters from two sites that provide a word-of-the-day, with pronunciation, definition and example of its use. These sites are Dictionary.com and Merriam-Webster.com A few words I know, most I don't. I may never use them in conversation, but it is still good to know about them. Interesting or odd ones I pass on to family and friends. Some shorter ones I write down for possible use in scrabble type games. Adults can learn new words too, and it is fun. They are the first things I look for in my emails each day. Source: Just looking up words and found the newsletter sign up area. By Knitter926 from bloomington, IL Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf58765768.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Keep a Family Piggy Bank Keep a piggy bank, and add change to it whenever you have extra. Make it a game with the kids to add "found" change. Everyone can add to it, even change given by aunts, uncles and grandparents. Save the money for a special outing, maybe a supper at a fancy restaurant or a camping trip. By Mrowe from Creighton, Sk Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf82705719.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Organize Band Aids by Size I would find that when I needed a band aid, it would take me going through several boxes to find the size I need. If I could not find it, I would end up buying another box of band aids and the collection would grow. I finally dumped all the boxes out, and sorted the band aids by size. I got several plastic zip closer bags. Then I put each size in it's own bag, and taped a sample of the band aid on the outside of the bag. I keep the "filed" bags in a plastic shoe box. It is much easier to find what I need, and will also know when a size needs to be purchased. By Shardebhow from Cherry Hill, NJ Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf59431848.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Make Your Own Ice for the Ice Chest Don't know what to do with all those empty plastic gallon jugs? My husband likes to fish and hunt, so instead of buying bags of ice we fill up the jugs with water, freeze, then bust them up for free ice for his cooler! I love fresh fish, yum! By Chickenhugger from Freeport, FL Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf811930.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Panty Hose on Vacuum Wand When Dusting To dust knick knacks, jewelry stands, books and other precious items, I stretch a leg of an old pair of pantyhose over the end of the vacuum cleaner wand, then clean away. The dust gets sucked up, but the smaller, delicate items stay safe. If the end of the wand gets a fluff buildup, (OK, I'm not the world's most diligent dust-buster), I just pull the pantyhose around to a clean spot. When I've finished, I wash the pantyhose. Source: My brain. Cleaning is not my favourite job so I've devised many ways to make it easier. By Magicalmarilyn from Millstream, Western Australia Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf69798771.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Dear Webby's Joke of the Day Two babies in a hospital nursery: "I'm a little girl." "I'm a little boy." "How do you know you're a little boy?" "Wait till the nurse goes out and I'll show you." When the nurse left, the baby pulled up his gown. "See? Blue booties." Read More Jokes Here: http://webby.com/humor New Requests: Baby Wipe Caused Leather Couch To Peel My leather sofa's top coat has peeled off, because of using a baby wipe. What can I do to fix it? Thank you for your help. Vincent Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf92152270.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Homemade Cat Treats Does anyone have a recipe for cat treats? I have to give one of my cats a pill every day and the purchased treats for this purpose are expensive. By roseyoday2 from east Detroit, MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf14108034.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Removing Grease Stains from Clothing I bought a new purple top. I've only worn it once and after washing it found what looks to me like grease stains. Does Oxyiaction work ? Any ideas please? By jillygal from Ireland Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf636080.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Adjust My Computer's Screen Size The picture on our laptop is too large to fit the screen. How can I make it smaller? I am not very computer savvy. Thanks. By drmeidl from Springfield, MN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf58303780.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Small Business Production of Frozen Potato Chips What is the step by step method of producing frozen potato chips in a small enterprise that does things manually? Please include a flow diagram. By IreneM. from Pretoria, SA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf98120813.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Ideas for Diaper Gifts? I would like to know how to make a diaper basket? By larica from Charles Town, WV Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf334881.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Ideas for a Frugal Wedding I'm planning a wedding around Howard County, MD and would like any advice you can give on an inexpensive wedding. I'm also struggling with finding an inexpensive alterations expert. Thanks for your help. By Janineco from Howard County, MD Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55845071.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Homemade Cheap and Easy Hand Cream I would like to find a recipe for hand cream. By beahx34 from Orange, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf31134158.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Kitchen Flooring Ideas Can I use maple floor and oak cabinets? By peppers mom from Lancaster, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf51117674.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Organizing Childrens Clothing How do you organize your kids clothes when they have too many? I have wheedled my oldest daughter's clothes down some, but still not enough it seems. My youngest has way too many, but at the same time she is such a mess and always ruining her clothes with stains I can never get out, so I almost need a lot of clothes for her. I just get so sick of so much laundry all the time. I thought maybe if I wheedled their clothes down to a certain number of tops and bottoms, or a certain number of "outfits", the laundry issue would get better. Really, how many outfits does one child need do you think? Any tips? Thanks. By minnabird from Southcentral VA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf30897863.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Cleaning a Pillow Top Mattress How do u clean a pillow top mattress? I am not concerned so much about stains, but just a typical cleaning? By princess23 Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf16190831.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Cleaning Patent Leather I have marks on my patent leather handbag. I made the mistake of storing it in the closet without a sleeper bag and now it has transfer marks from another (black) bag. I have tried the Magic Eraser, nail polish remover, toothpaste, Goo-Gone, leather cleaner, hand sanitizer, and a Brillo pad. All with no luck. Please help. By nutmeg7 from Harrisburg, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf354807.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Water Level Control on Washer Not Working My washer will only fill a little. I have to hold the water level button over to fill it up. How do I fix it? By Sly from Leadville, CO Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf30888759.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Discouraging Cats from Using Neighbor's Yards for Cat Box I recently found out that my indoor/outdoor cats are using several flower beds, gardens, and bushes in our neighborhood for their litter box. To try to lure them away I have cleared a small area in our backyard and covered the dirt patch with fine mulch (which they seem to like to use in other yards). Is there anything I can add to the mulch to attract them in hopes that they will start using it for their outdoor litter box? By NYCatLover from Binghamton, NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf96698545.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | White Heat Marks on Wood Table I need help removing ironing marks from wood table top. They look similar to water marked furniture. The kids used the dining room table to make iron-on tee shirts. They left a mark on the table top that looks like a water mark. The finish has a white haze to it. Any ideas? By LanceS from PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf480173.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Painting Counter Tops To Look Like Granite How do I redo a laminate countertop in faux granite? I saw this on a home improvement show and cannot find any instruction on it anywhere? By syoung53 from N. Vernon, IN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf81627785.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Cleaning Bamboo Floors My home has huge areas of pale hardwood bamboo floors, including a huge kitchen. Since there are big windows and skylights, every water spot or spill shows clearly. I have not found any safe wood cleaner (tried Murphy's oil soap, Swiffer Wet Jet for wooden floors and a lot of others). I can easily remove the spills, but the floor always looks streaky when dry. I dry mop in the direction of the wood grain, and even go on my knees, but no great results, just aggravation. Please help. By joyjoy2 from VA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf36652474.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Painting Laminate Countertops How do I paint laminate countertops? By lornadoone38 from Boston, MA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf999197.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Tiny Brown Flying Insects All of a sudden I have these flying brown hard shell bugs that don't bite and are very annoying. They fly and land on me all the time. They just started showing up one day and they are in my study and only there. They remind me a a lady bug, but 1/5 the size of them. I keep a can with a little water in there and throw them in the can when they land on me. Thanks. By Likdoyoucare from CT Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf665628.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | ASPCA Pet Vaccination Truck When is the next ASPCA pet vaccination truck coming to Manhattan? By brownie9 from 10039 Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22057068.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Asking Someone to Homecoming Does anyone have any ideas on how to ask a guy to homecoming? We like each other, but we are not dating. I have no idea how to ask him in a cute way. Can you help? By acebaby92 from Yakima, WA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf49701650.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Buying Imprinted Pens Where is the best place to order imprinted ink pens? By grandmah from MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf16480166.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Using Floor Tiles on Counters Can floor tile be used for counter top? By MiLaSo from Philadelphia, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf92373095.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Frugal Wedding Location in Long Island I am looking for a place where I can do my wedding. We are on a tight budget. It's for about 100 guests, if that. By DGirlGray from Long Island, NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf67805039.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Water from Air Conditioner Left Stain on Carpet Air conditioner water spilled on my carpet. 409 carpet cleaner and a scrub brush didn't remove it. Help. By lorig123 from Philipsburg, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf80502548.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Finding Old Rolling Spindle Exercise-Massage Equipment Does anyone remember an older piece of exercise equipment that had rolling spindles on it and the whole barrel also turned. You could press your back against it or straddle it to massage your inner thighs, etc. Does anyone know what this was called? I would love to be able to try to find one to buy. By Taffy421 from Lancaster, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf12767405.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Protection and Treatment for Insect Bites I have flea bites on my ankles. I need something good for the itching. I have tried anti itch medicine and I take Benadryl, but it makes me go to sleep. Any other suggestions? By momssspecialangel from Parkersburg, WV Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf790246.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.