Daily Thrifty Tips
Volume Three, Number 141, October 4, 2004
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello,
We have a great newsletter today. It was a lot of fun to put together. We also published a TF News about Frugal Furniture over the weekend, you can find a link to that in the More Reading section.
Thanks for reading,
Susan
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If you are looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem,
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Today's newsletter contains:
Tip Contest
Today's Tips:
- Preventing Puppies From Chewing
- Piñata Tip - Dividing the Candy
- Birthday Cupcake Idea for Kids
- Save Those Free Crayons
- Toilet Brush Tip
- Save Money on Plants in The Fall
- Uses for Broken Glass Topped Table
- Recycle That Old High Boy Dresser
- Bleach Pen Alternative
- Helping Your School
- Kid's Craft - Flower Paper Weights
- Recycling Old Towels and Blankets
- Aluminum Foil To Prevent Static Cling
- Halloween Game For None But The Brave!
- Hot Lemon Drink
- Uses for Hotels and Motel Shower Caps
- Frugal Sleepwear
- Feedback: School Lunch Ideas
- Feedback: So You Think You Aren't Creative? Build Your Own Coffee
- Feedback: Easy Chicken
- Today's Recipe: Halloween Make-up
Syndication Spotlight
New Requests:
- Brainstorm! Frugal Furniture Ideas
- Halloween Party Ideas
- Removing Gum From a Leather Chair
- Homemade Lavender Heat Packs
- Removing Diesel Fuel Smell From Hands and Clothing
- Wedding Invitation - Firefighter Theme
- Freezing Carrots
- Lemonade Cookie Recipes
- Controlling Sweat
- Cold Weather Flowers and Plants
- Cereal Crumb Muffin Recipe
- Grout Smell After Toilet Overflow
- Frugal Thermal Curtains
- Huckleberry Glazed Popcorn Recipe
- Cleaning Ballpoint Ink Pen From Couch
- Uses for Cut off Blue Jean Legs
- Removing Masking Tape From Tinted Windows
- Bathroom Sink Repair
Today's Sponsor
More Reading:
- TF News - Frugal Furniture
- Nuts
- 25 Festive Christmas Gift Wrap Ideas
- Tightening the Belt just a bit tighter - what to do when money is really tight
- Decorating Frugally
Search ThriftyFun Using Google: Click Here
Tip Contest
Submit a tip and you could win:
Foodsaver Vac 300
This is the entry level Foodsaver. It offers commercial-quality vacuum packaging and is great for storing meat and cheese. It has a retail price of $79.99.
Enter the contest!
Today's Tips
Preventing Puppies From Chewing
I have learned the hard way how to protect my house and its contents from the sharp puppy teeth. While our children can be reasoned with, puppies only understand that they need to chew. This may be difficult for some but it was what saved my household's shoes, clothes and walls.
My Border Collie took to chewing shoes, the corners of the walls; taking quilts, clothes and sheets off the outside clothes line and generally making a nuisance of herself. It was my husband who came up with this bright idea after seeing our dog's reaction to spicy leftover food.
On the walls, where she was chewing we applied splashes of tabasco and chili; on the clothes line we stuffed stockings with rags that had been soaked in tabasco sauce and chili powder.
On all of our shoes we applied a thin spray of the same solution, the stronger the better. It only smelled for a little while and the results were that we had shoes that lasted more than 5 minutes after we got them home from the store.
She was most unimpressed and only came back a second time to try it again. The walls were the worst as she used to love chewing them. Something about the ingredients in plaster are tasty for dogs apparently.
Amazingly, almost overnight the problem with the items disappearing from the clothes stopped. We only had to put another stocking on the line for her to put her tail between her legs and disappear into her kennel. It really works, unless of course you have a chili loving dog. If that's the case you're in real trouble.
Cheers
By Bev
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Pinata Tip - Dividing the Candy
I just had a wonderful birthday party for my 9 yr. old daughter that was the most stress free ever. We did the usual Zoo and pinata thing etc. but it was how I did the pinata this time that was the hit of the day. Usually there is a free-for-all when the pinata breaks and confetti and candy goes everywhere. We have used a large tarp to keep things in place but there was always the usual "I had that first", "I didn't get one of that", etc. This year I used my trusty (but old & cheap) vacuum sealer to make long narrow bags (that could fit through the opening in the pinata,) to hold the candies, etc. When the pinata broke, each child had exactly the same stuff. They were all thrilled with the new concept and I had one less headache of trying to divide stuff evenly and fairly.
By Elaine Porter
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Birthday Cupcake Idea for Kids
This year instead of a birthday cake for my 9 yr. old daughter's birthday I baked a batch each of chocolate and white cupcakes. Part of the party fun was having each child decorate their cupcakes with store bought icing and bulk store decorations!! What a blast they had. When they were all done, each child put a candle on their cupcake and formed a "circle cake" for the birthday girl to blow out her candles. Everyone then enjoyed their cupcakes without having the mess of plates etc. and leftovers went home with each child.
By Elaine Porter
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Save Those Free Crayon
Save those free crayons from restaurants and keep them in a ziploc snack size bag in your purse or diaper bag because you never know when you may need the help of some easy entertainment for your kids.
By Autumn Poser
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Toilet Brush Tip
I use a toilet brush that has a holder that will hold water. I put a small amount of concentrated bathroom cleaning solution in it and fill it with HOT water. The brush gets sterilized with the HOT water and then I have solution in the holder so that I can give my toilet a quick swish every day. Saves time in the long run, because there is no hard scrubbing to be done when you brush the toilet daily.
By Dee K.
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Save Money on Plants in The Fall
I use the fall to add any plants or shrubs when the nurseries are having 50-75% off. Last year I wanted to add a Magnolia tree to my yard and normally they are expensive but I went in September and bought one for half the cost. The person at the nursery told me it is fine to plant, you just put in ground but don't fertilize to promote new growth. My tree came back beautifully in the spring. Our nursery also guarantees all their plants for a year no matter what time of year you plant. I went this weekend and bought several plants and shrubs all for half off.
By Bulandd
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Uses for Broken Glass Topped Table
So you were just at the local thrift store and you saw this beautiful table but the glass was missing. You passed it up because we all know to replace the glass is very expensive and would cost you more than what you would pay for the table. Well, go back right away because here are some ideas you can use to make that beautiful table useful again.
If this is a coffee table with no glass why not turn it into a bench for the end of your bed or for in the guest room, foray, or bath. Cut a piece of plywood a little bit bigger than the base then cut a piece of foam the same size as the plywood. Attach the foam to the plywood with spray glue. Cover the whole thing with Fabric of your choice and staple to the back of the plywood. Depending on the weight you can either leave it in two separate pieces or you can attach a two by two to form braces on the table and screw the top down.
Another idea for a taller table is to cut a top for it and either mosaic it with broken pieces of plates or tile the top. If it is a coffee table and it is too short, try adding new legs and making it a sofa table. Legs can be found on other furniture or can be bought at Home Depot or Lowes.
By Debra in Colorado
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Recycle That Old High Boy Dresser
So that dresser you got from grandma has been repaired so many times that you can't count the repairs and all the drawers are broken but one? How about taking the spots where the drawers were and adding shelves. Put the one drawer in the bottom slot and you have nifty game shelves for all your board games.
Don't want the games boxes to be seen? Add some doors. You can make these yourself or look in your local phone book under Salvage and see if you have a Building Salvage lot in your area. If you do great, you just need to take your measurements with you and they will have lots of old cabinet doors for you to look through. A fresh coat of paint and they will look brand new. You could also add just one shelf down low and add doors and voila you have a cabinet for your television in the guest room. Add just shelves and no drawers and doors and you have a blanket chest for all those extra blankets.
By Debra in Colorado
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Bleach Pen Alternative
Instead of a bleach pen, since they are expensive and you don't get much for your money, use an old spray bottle with a squirter and put bleach right in the bottle and squirt it on the stains.
Sue
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Helping Your School
Soon we will all be going to open house at our children's schools and this would be a good time to check out the recess things your children have access to. When we were in school, the school would provide each class room with balls and jump ropes and things to be used at recess. Nowadays most schools are lucky if they have enough stuff for a gym class. Making jump ropes at home and buying a few balls at the dollar store or Walmart could be just the boost your child's class room needs. PVC pipe cut into sections can be used for games such as "hide the bone" or relay sticks for relay races. Our school has a newsletter that goes out once a month with a "Wish List" of items that our school could use. You might want to help establish a newsletter for your school or a "Wish List" in your newsletter. You will be surprised at how many parents will respond.
By Debra in Colorado
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Kid's Craft - Flower Paper Weights
Supplies:
1 two liter bottle for each child cut in half.
1 or more boxes of Plaster of Paris
Craft paints in all colors
Paint brushes, smocks and old shower curtains to cover work area.
Directions:
Pour mixed plaster of paris into bottom of two liter bottle making sure that your have a level surface. Let the plaster dry. Peel off 2 liter bottle bottom and paint. Makes a nice gift for Mom or Teacher.
By Debra in Colorado
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Recycling Old Towels and Blankets
Old towels can be cut to make cleaning rags and old blankets can be used as batting for the inside of a new quilt but my favorite way to recycle them is to take them to the dog rescue people to be use as mats for inside cages or sleeping areas.
By Debra in Colorado
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Aluminum Foil To Prevent Static Cling
Crumple up a piece of aluminum foil and put it in the dryer with your wet clothes. This will prevent static cling!
By Kelley Harrington
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Halloween Game For None But The Brave!
Guests sit in a circle on floor, lights are out except for the flashlight that the narrator reads by. Have each item to be passed around in a separate bowl. Guest will pick up the item, put it back in the bowl, then pass to the next person. While guests pass an item, narrator hold the flashlight underneath her chin to give her face scary look and says:
"Poor Joe! He should have stayed home on that Halloween night. But out he went in the dark, dark night. A goblin was watching Joe walk 'cross the land. He swooped down beside him and snatched off his hand. Poor Joe!" (Narrator passes cold stuffed glove to person next to her. (I fill a rubber glove with water and freeze it). It continues being passed around until it returns to the narrator. Narrator sets bowl down and continues story.)
"He shivered and shook and grew oh, so cold. He fell when he ran, 'cause he'd lost all his toes. Poor Joe!" (Narrator passes 10 small pieces of peeled carrots of different sizes.)
"A black cat crossed his path, giving Joe such a scare. He threw back his head and off came his hair. Poor Joe!" (Narrator passes around a wig.)
"Hobbling along, one hand on a cane, Joe tried hard to think, but oops! no more brain. Poor Joe!" (Narrator passes around cold, cooked spaghetti.) ( I mold it in a small round dish so it sticks together.)
"Oh, oh, I can't think, but at least I can hear, if witches and goblins should now reappear. So Joe kept going laden with fear. But he shook as he walked, and off fell his ears! Poor Joe!" (Narrator passes around two dried apricot halves.)
"And there in the distance his house he could spy, but just for a secondfor out popped his eyes. Poor Joe!" (Narrator passes around two peeled grapes.)
"And he yelled and he screamed, and he screamed and he yelled, hoping that someone would be there to tell. So he took a deep breath, his patience was wrung, but no sound he uttered for out fell his tongue!! Poor Joe!" (Narrator passes around a piece of liver.) (I use a Tupperware popsicle mold and pour in very stiff gelatin so that the set tongue is very solid.)
"Oh, what a shame! What a pity! What a fright!! That Joe ventured out on that Halloween night. He lay there alonenothing left, not a part. And all you could hear was the beat of his heart. THUMP!! Thump!! Thump!!" (Narrator turns off flashlight and slowly repeats the word 'thump' several times.
By Sue Robinson
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Hot Lemon Drink
Boil 8 oz. of water and place in your coffee mug. Add 1 large slice of fresh lemon to the mug. Add sugar and/or honey as desired. Really warms the tummy on a cold winter day. Enjoy.
By Joesgirl
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Uses for Hotels and Motel Shower Caps
Use them to cover leftover food in your refrigerator. Years ago you could buy "bowl covers". I'm sure they still have them but they are not that easy to buy. Plus you have to pay for them. So why not use your freebies. After a use, wash them out with warm water and a bit of dishwashing detergent, dry well and reuse. An economical freebie.
By Joesgirl
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Frugal Sleepwear
With the cost of clothes I feel it is best to scrimp first on the clothes no one sees you in. This excludes your spouse of course who will only care that you're soft and warm! I buy mens heavyweight crewneck undershirts in size Large Tall. They cover my rear but are small enough around my neck that my collarbones are covered. Then I buy pink dye for a buck and color them in my washer. I have a feminine cozy look that's still comfortable and cheap!
Susan from Michigan
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Feedback: School Lunch Ideas
Ok. How about some ham and cheese wraps. Just take a slice of ham and put some cheese in the middle. Roll it up and there you go! If your child likes fish how about some tuna and crackers. And kids like to munch on things. So maybe some baby carrots, cubed cheese, small baby pickles and celery. Give them small different dips like ranch, honey mustard and cream cheese. Hope this helps!
By Smilez28
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Feedback: So You Think You Aren't Creative? Build Your Own Coffee
I have a beautiful homemade coffee table made from an old door and 4 thick branches for a legs. I took down a tree stump and saved four gnarly branches and loved them. The old door came from the side of the road on trash day. I cut the door down to fit what I wanted and painted it white and sanded it in the right places to make it look distressed. Then I fixed the four branches after measuring to the bottom and viola, I had a gorgeous one of a kind coffee table. That, by the way, never fails to get compliments and questions as to where I bought I it.
By Suzanne S.
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Feedback: Easy Chicken
Or you can try 1 package chicken breasts, 1 can of pineapple slices with juice and about 2 teaspoons of brown sugar. Bake uncovered at 350 F for about an hour or until no longer pink inside. ***Or try 1 package chicken breasts basted with a mixture of equal parts of butter/margarine and lemon juice and about three tablespoons of parsley. Cook on the grill for a caramelized outside, tender and juicy inside chicken that goes with any side dish - is great on salad and delicious in pasta dishes.
By Suzanne S.
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Other Active Topics
Tons of great feedback is posted each tday. Be sure to check out
our Active Topics page to follow the discussion.
http://www.thriftyfun.com/board.html
Today's Recipe: Homemade Halloween Make-up
Ingredients:
2 Tablespoons Corn Starch
1 Tablespoon Shortening
Food Coloring - Colors Of Your Choice
Baby Powder
Directions:
To help the colored make-up stay on, first powder your face with baby powder.
Mix the first three ingredients and apply to face.
To make different colors other than what you can buy in food coloring, mix the following:
Brown = mix equal amounts of yellow, green and red together.
Orange = mix red and yellow together.
By Conni (Constance) Hood
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Syndication Spotlight:
Here are some publishers that have chosen to publish our tips this week!
Dear Webby's Humor Letter
Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter.
http://webby.com/humor
Do you publish a newsletter? Sign up for our Tip Syndication:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/syndication.html
New Requests:
Brainstorm! Frugal Furniture Ideas
Frugal furniture tips and ideas. Post your ideas!
Post Feedback: Click Here
Halloween Party Ideas
I have a request concerning ideas for Halloween parties. I have all the decorations and all planned. I just need some good ideas as far as refreshments are concerned. The more disgusting and gross or creepy the better. I'm not looking for Halloween cupcakes or something like that. For example so far I have recipes for MeatHead that looks like a zombie head made of ham or turkey on a plastic skull head (it even bleeds!!, well it's red jello at the very bottom) and make a scarecrow like person but the stomach will have actual guts (actually it will be Italian sausage for the large intestines and Lil smokies for the small intestines). Sorry this is so long but I wanted to make sure I got my plans across.. TIA
By Delaine
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Removing Gum From a Leather Chiar
How can I get gum off of a leather chair?
Lollipoptoo
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Homemade Lavender Heat Packs
I would like to make my own lavender heat pack, but I'm not sure whether you use lavender flowers or lavender seeds in them. Does anyone have the answer to this dilemna for me?
Thanks,
SallyK
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Removing Diesel Fuel Smell From Hands and Clothing
Does anyone know how to remove the smell of diesel fuel from hands and clothing?
Michelle from PA
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Wedding Invitation - Firefighter Theme
I need some help, I'm trying to plan my wedding, we are going with the firefighter theme. I am having problems with my invitations. I want to do my own, and I can't find a site to help me with this or anything that has to deal with firefighters. If anyone can help, please let me know. Thank you,
Tina
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Freezing Carrots
I found a great deal on carrots at the store this week and bought 10 pounds. I am wanting to freeze them to eat as a side-vegetable latter on. Any ideas on the best way to do this? I am supposing that I have to blanch/boil them for a bit first but don't know how long. Any help is appreciated.
Thanks,
Donna in Kansas
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Lemonade Cookie Recipes
I am looking for a cookie recipe using lemonade.
Thanks,
Susan from Yerington, Nevada
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Controlling Sweat
My daughter sweats uncontrollably and she is sometimes embarrassed to raise her hand in school because it will show. We switched deodorants and that doesn't even work. What should I do?
Maya
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Cold Weather Flowers and Plants
What plants and flowers do you recommend for planing in the cold weather?
Hope R from Oklahoma
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Cereal Crumb Muffin Recipe
Some time ago, I saw a recipe for muffins which uses the leftover crumbly stuff that is at the bottom of every cereal box. I can't remember where I saw it, but if anyone knows, I would love to have it again. Thanks,
NC Mom
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Grout Smell After Toilet Overflow
My young daughter clogged the toilet, when using the bathroom, with too much toilet paper. She flushed the toilet and *everything* overflowed on to the floor. Our floors are 12" x 12" ceramic tile with 1/2" grout lines between each tile. I have tried everything I can possibly think of short of replacing all the grout to remove the foul smell in the bathroom, but to no avail. Any suggestions???
Thank you,
Jeni G.
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Frugal Thermal Curtains
I want to hang thermal curtains in my living room this winter to conserve heat. I only have one big triple window in the livingroom and would like to put a wrought iron rod across the top and hang (preferably) tab top curtains on it. Naturally I do not want to spend a fortune on this project. Does anyone have any sugestions to do this frugally? I want to save as much money as possible.
Cookiepom
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Huckleberry Glazed Popcorn Recipe
I had some huckleberry glazed popcorn, by Killian Corn,inc. I am wondering if anyone has a recipe that would be comparable, to the one they use, or perhaps the exact one they use. this would be wonderful.
Cystyl
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Cleaning Ballpoint Ink Pen From Couch
I am trying to find out how to clean ballpoint pen ink from my couch. Any help out there?
Barb from Maryland
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Uses for Cut off Blue Jean Legs
Last night I cut off my husbands blue jeans and made him some shorts. What can I do with the bottom portions that I have left? It has to be something really easy as I do not sew and don't have a machine and I have no little ones at home, just three little doggies! Thanks in advance! You ladies and gentlmen are the best! :)
Cookiepom
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Removing Masking Tape From Tinted Windows
After 4 hurricanes, my windows have masking tape Xs. I have window tinting film on the windows so i don't know how to get masking tape off?
Lucinda in FL
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Bathroom Sink Repair
Can anyone tell me how to repair or reglaze a bathroom sink where the finish is worn off around the drain?
Pat
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Looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem? Submit
your request here: Click Here
Today's Sponsor
MyCoupons
Links to Coupons and Deals at MyCoupons
http://thriftyfun.mycoupons.com
More Reading
ThriftyFun News October 2, 2004 - Frugal Furniture
Online version of the ThriftyFun News. Frugal Furniture. Volume Six, Number 38 October 2, 2004
View Article: Click Here
Nuts
By Jennifer A. Wickes
A nut is a dry fruit with an edible kernel in a shell. Some "nuts" are really legumes (Brazil nuts) or seeds (peanuts).
View Article: Click Here
25 Festive Christmas Gift Wrap Ideas
By Abigail Beal
Christmas is coming - soon it will be time to wrap holiday gifts! Do
you want to do something different with your gift wrap this year?
Here are twenty five festive holiday gift wrap ideas guaranteed to
make your gifts look just as special as your holiday season!
View Article: Click Here
Tightening the Belt just a bit tighter- what to do when money is really tight
By Patty Getz
One of the biggest challenges for a frugal mom, is finding yet more ways to save money when money gets tight. It could be that you are trying to pay off debt or perhaps you want to save for something special, you are already frugal, and just don't know what else you can do. All is not lost, as long as you are willing to try a few ideas, you didn't think you would ever try, and to count your savings in nickels and dimes, you can do it.
View Article: Click Here
Decorating Frugally
By Rachel Paul
The trend these days is to discover extremely innovative ways to decorate interiors on a budget. The tips provided below are just a few of the many ways one can inexpensively achieve a truly original look for a room.
View Article: Click Here
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