|
|
|
Hello,
We are sending this newsletter out a day late, sorry for the delay. I hope everyone is having a nice weekend.
Thanks for reading,
Susan
Tip Contest!
http://www.thriftyfun.com/contest.ldml
Photo Contest!
a href="http://www.thriftyfun.com/photo_contest.ldml
Frugal solutions to everyday problems: Submit a request...
http://www.thriftyfun.com/add.ldml
Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Photo Tips:
Today's Tips:
New Requests:
More Reading:
Search ThriftyFun Using Google: Click Here
Today's Sponsors
No sponsor today, just a request! Please consider supporting ThriftyFun in one or more of the following ways.
1. Tell a friend about this newsletter. You tell a friend about today's newsletter at the link below:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf500977_friend
2. Submit your favorite tips, recipes or craft projects on one of our contest forms.
Tip Contest!
http://www.thriftyfun.com/contest.ldml
Photo Contest!
http://www.thriftyfun.com/photo_contest.ldml
3. Look over the Reader's Requests from time to time and see if you have any advice to offer.
http://www.thriftyfun.com/Readers%20Request_745.html
Thanks for reading!
Susan
Today's Photo Contest Entries
Easy Earrings from Vintage Buttons
Do you have any beautiful, old buttons in your collection that either don't number enough for the front of a shirt, or just don't seem to match any fabric you have? You can turn them into unique earrings quite easily.
View This Project: Click Here
This is me and my cat, Loudy. I have never been a cat person. Loudy showed up one night and sat on my porched and meowed all night. She was pregnant. She had her kittens and after they were older I had animal control pick them up to see if a home could be found for them. The animal shelter is located over 10 miles from my house. The next evening I heard a cat meowing on my porch. I walked out and there was Loudy. I guess she walked all the way back from the shelter. This convinced me that she belonged at my house and she has been with me ever since.
By Jody Colley
Post Feedback: Click Here
Buy 8-10- plastic stick-on holders for hanging dish towels. Buy the same amount of dish towels. Put stick-ons above the window where you would like the curtain. Put the dish towels on the holders.
Stick-ons stick immediately! So make sure it is where you want it before you stick it. I got these at the Dollar Tree. You can also grab one to use in an emergency situation. I buy extras to match for kitchen use. I also change the towels to a orange, red and yellow stripe for a different color look. I get lots of compliments.
By Fran
Post Feedback: Click Here
Today's Tips
Planting and Caring for Flower Bulbs
Caring for Bulbs after Blooming
Don't cut, fold over or braid the green leafy part of your spring bulbs after they bloom and you have taken off the spent flower. Many people do this without realizing they are shortcircuiting the photosyntheses process wherein necessary nutrients from the sun will not reach the bulb to feed it for the next blooming. To keep things looking nice during the dying down of the greens, I plant cheap annuals in between the bulbs.
By Angellface
Read More Tips and Post Your Own: Click Here
Tips for popping and flavoring popcorn. Post your ideas.
If you use olive oil when popping your popcorn, it tastes great, you won't miss not slathering it in hot butter. You might also want to sprinkle on such toppings as parmesan cheese, a dab of taco seasoning, or ranch dressing mix. These are just a few of our favorites. So when 'Movie Night' rolls around, try something different.... snackwise.
By Terri
Post Feedback: Click Here
Spaghetti Sauce - Tips and Recipes
Tips and recipes for making spaghetti sauce. Post your ideas.
Spaghetti Sauce
When making spaghetti sauce with italian sausage, place uncooked sausages in pan with a perimeter just large enough to encircle the sausages. Put in just enough hot water to cover the sausages. Bring to a boil, cover tightly, and simmer till sausages ore tender. Use this as a base for your spaghetti sauce as it really enhances the flavor of the sauce. Also try cooking some country style spare ribs in the sauce. The flavor is outstanding and the ribs become so tender.
By Angellface
Post Feedback: Click Here
Always buy two sets, invariably you or someone in the house will burn one of your covers! Keep the burned one on the stove as a reminder, when company comes over put a new one on! For some reason, the visible burned cover makes everyone aware, less accidents.
By Syd
Post Feedback: Click Here
Keeping Moles Out of Raised Beds
Put a galvanized hardware cloth in the bottom before adding dirt. This will keep voles/moles from eating your plants. Without it the critters think it's their buffet! Also, putting plants in wire cages helps too! We have so many of these critters.
By Syd
Post Feedback: Click Here
Lost or Stolen Purse or Wallet
Tips for dealing with losing your wallet or purse. Post your ideas.
Make copies of your important account numbers and phone numbers, so if your purse or wallet is lost or stolen, you can immediately phone to cancel credit cards, bank accounts, etc. Keep this information hidden in your vehicle trunk. It saves time, if you can do it immediately rather than wait until you get home. The sooner the better!
By Syd
Post Feedback: Click Here
Refurbishing a Dull Black Plastic Mail Box
The Dollar Store has a bottle of New Gloss Tire Dressing. Clean the mail box and let it dry, then wipe this on the mail box and it looks like new again!
By Syd
Post Feedback: Click Here
For our parents' wedding anniversary one year (when my siblings and I were still at home, in school and 2 of us had jobs). We wanted to do something really special for them, other than the usual gifts we gave. So we rented a hotel room for 2 days (with a jacuzzi) at a State Park a few counties away (and near my work).
Shortly before Mom and Dad were to arrive at check-in, my brother, his girlfriend (now wife), my sister and I prepared the room as we wanted it. We left a beautiful sliced fruit tray on ice, a bottle of wine on ice, an assorted cheese tray with an assortment of crackers, a beautiful bouquet of flowers with an anniversary card and bubble bath.
It worked out perfectly, they never knew we were there, till after their 2 days. They were delighted with their gift and had the most relaxing time, ever. So if you're stumped over what to do for someone's upcoming birthday, anniversary, or whatever. I guarantee this is the best idea and gift we could have done!
By Terri
Post Feedback: Click Here
Ingredients:
Directions:
Mix all these together, in the proper amounts, poured it into a 10-gallon hose-end sprayer, and apply it to a lawn while you water. The pop and beer act as food for the lawn. The ammonia promotes growth and helps make the grass green. The liquid dishwashing soap is a wetting agent and helps the water reach the roots. And the mouthwash actually kills bugs and grubs in the lawn.
Be very careful with the ingredients. The ammonia could kill the grass if too much is used. The tonic should only be used once every three to four weeks in high heat, and even less frequently when the temperatures are not hot. It is also important to only use diswashing soap, dishwasing detergent could be harmful. If you have pets at home, they should also be kept off the lawn for 24 to 36 hours after treatment.
By April
Post Feedback: Click Here
Potato Salad - Tips and Recipes
Tips and recipes for making potato salad. Post your ideas.
Potato Salad Tip
When preparing potatoes for potato salad. Boil them in their jackets. When tender after being pricked with a fork. Drain the water off and fill pan with cold water. When the potatoes are cool, one by one, scrape peeling off with a serated steak knife. It's easier than trying to tear off the skin with your fingernails. I used to dread making potato salad, but now it's a much easier task. I got this valuable info from a cook I used to work with.
By Terri
Post Feedback: Click Here
Uses for Concentrated Juice Lids
Uses for the metal lids that come off concentrated juice containers. Post your ideas.
Save Orange Juice Lids
Save your frozen orange juice can lids through out the year. For something to do with the kids, paint the juice lids and make Christmas ornaments or pretty magnets.
This could either be a cheap Summer craft idea or a rainy day project. Either way, these could be given as gifts, sold at garage sales, (if ornaments, kept for your own Christmas tree.)
By Terri
Post Feedback: Click Here
Keep Shrubs and Trees Away from the House
Keep trees, shrubs or other vegetation trimmed so they don't rub against your home. They may be moved to another location, if foliage persistantly contacts the siding on your home, windows or utility penetrations such as dryer vents, etc.
By Terri
Post Feedback: Click Here
Keep the barbeque grill cleaner by rubbing it with cooking oil before using it. You will have less stuck on food!
By Syd
Post Feedback: Click Here
Donating Items to Senior Citizen Centers
Donate extra produce, magazines or other useful items that can be used. Seniors on limited incomes really appreciate it. Usually they have lunch programs during the week that they attend each day so items will quickly be taken so the center doesn't have to store things.
By Syd
Post Feedback: Click Here
Tips for removing stains from clothing. Post your ideas.
I love summer time! It's the best time to remove food stains from my toddlers clothes. If "food" stains did not get removed in the washer simply lay flat in the sun to dry. Works great. Keep in mind that the sun can bleach colors so don't leave dark colors out for too long.
I have never used this technique for mustard.
By Chrisa
Post Feedback: Click Here
Sometimes it is easier to wash dishes by hand when there are only two of you. Keep a square plastic storage-type container on the counter filled with water and place your silverware and kitchen utensils in there to soak until you wash all the dishes.
Dishwashers are nice but if it takes several days to fill it and in the meantime you are constantly taking out your favorite item to wash it and use it, it kind of defeats the purpose.
By Syd
Post Feedback: Click Here
Tips to help keep the bathroom clean. Post your ideas.
Faucets, Kitchen and Bath
Keep them sparkling by giving them a coat of liquid wax to keep the water spots off.
By Syd
Post Feedback: Click Here
A normal bar of soap can work well as a lubricant when applied to metal. Use soap on screws before you screw them into hardwood. You can also use soap to speed up a stubborn zipper. Run your handsaw blade over a bar of soap and it will cut through wood more easily. It also will speed up the runners on windows, sliding doors and drawers.
Post Feedback: Click Here
Keep Razor Blades in Matchbooks
Empty matchbooks can be used to store razor blades. Just insert the razor blade into the bottom part of the matchbook. The strike plate can even be used to sharpen the blade in a pinch. Mark the matchbook so you know what's in it.
Post Feedback: Click Here
Nail or glue a yard stick to the front of your workbench for quick measurements. It comes in handy when you need to make a lot of small measurements.
Post Feedback: Click Here
http://www.thriftyfun.com/board.html
New Contest - More Prizes
We are giving away 16 $25 prizes in a variety of categories.
Tip Contest!
To enter, visit: http://www.thriftyfun.com/contest.ldml
Photo Contest!
To enter, visit: http://www.thriftyfun.com/photo_contest.ldml
Contest ends July 15, 2005
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:
I have a vase full of eucalyptus branches that have mildew. It's a large amount and would be very expensive to replace. Does anyone have any ideas on how to clean this, if it is possible? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you.
"Mike"
Post Feedback: Click Here
Tracking Responses From Requests
Is it possible to set up tracking of responses from other people's info requests? Sometimes an info request is made and I'd like to see all of the answers as they come in.
Thanks,
Holly
Post Feedback: Click Here
My dog got skunked last night and I used the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda and liquid soap method that worked very well on his coat. The problem now is that when the dog got sprayed by the skunk, he was barking and apparently got a mouthful of the spray also. He still has that awful smell coming from his mouth and nose. Any other helpful hints would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Mary
Post Feedback: Click Here
Remedies for an Ingrown Toenail
I recently got an ingrown toenail. It's not pussing, its just swollen, sore and red. What should I do? I'm soaking it often, and know that I might have to go to the doctor, but I'm not sure if I could do anything before hand. Thanks,
Mirriah
Post Feedback: Click Here
I got some nail polish on my daughter's American Girl doll. How do I get the dried nail polish off?
Alison
Post Feedback: Click Here
Orange Soap Stain on Countertop
How do remove an orange soap stain off my formica countertop?
Sara Bleasdale
Post Feedback: Click Here
Comfortable, Warm and Cheerful Painting Advice
My husband and I just bought our first house. We want to paint the walls but are unsure as to what color to paint them. The couches have dard green, red and with a little blue in them. I think they might have a little tan in them as well. I definitly don't want my house to look dark. I'm going for a comfortable, warm and cheerful look. What colors would look best with it? I'd like to stay away from whites if at all possible.
Rose
Post Feedback: Click Here
I need help getting red nail polish out of light tan Berber carpet and also my son's Blue cotton t-shirt. I've heard using nail polish remover might damage the carpet. Any suggestions? Please!
TC from PA
Post Feedback: Click Here
Does anyone know how to get rid of white footed ants? Sarasota is covered with them. I have read everything there is to know about them, but as far as getting rid of them it seems to be impossible because the workers do not feed the queen ants. Any help would be appreciated. I know they are sweet eating ants and the little cans of tetro does not seem to work, I even sprayed them with diazanon, but the rain washes it away. Any suggestions?
Helene from florida
Post Feedback: Click Here
I am new at this gardening thingy. My daughter and I have planted watermelon, pumpkin, corn, green beans and sunflowers. They are all growing well, except that something is chewing on them. I went to the store and bought some organic stuff that is to not harm the fruit. Well now my plants are looking sick. Help us save our 1st 1/2 successful garden. We are almost ready to pick our first green beans. This is so cool.
Jen
Post Feedback: Click Here
Does anyone have any good tips on dusting silk trees? I have a silk fica tree and I'm dusting one leaf at a time.
Thanks,
Diana
Post Feedback: Click Here
Remove Sharpie Permanent Marker From Stone
I have red Sharpie permanent marker on my River Rock Stone Fireplace. My son wrote on one of the stones and no matter what I have used it will not come off. Even bleach. Any suggestions?
TIC from PA
Post Feedback: Click Here
Waterproof Mascara Recommendations
I am looking for the perfect waterproof mascara. I have tried many, many different brands since my favourite was discontinued (boo hoo) which was Covergirl Marathon mascara with the curved brush in the grey tube. I have tried about 30 various other ones but none are suitable.
Can YOU recommend the perfect mascara for me? Please please help?
Thank you,
Monique x UK
Post Feedback: Click Here
Firefighter Candles and Centerpiece Ideas
I am tring to find firefighter decorations for my reception hall, such as firefighter candles, or anything to use as a center piece. Can anyone help me?
Jamie from Columba City, IN
Post Feedback: Click Here
I would like to have a baby shower for my daughter. This would be her first baby and my first grandbaby but I really can't afford it. I thought you all might have some ideas on what I could do to have a frugal baby shower.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks everybody,
Teresa from Va.
Post Feedback: Click Here
How do I get rid of Blue Jays?
I have this blue jay that sits by a window of my house and pecks at it. Sometimes it starts pecking around five in the morning. It's always waking me up and it continues to peck throughout the day. I use to have morning doves that had nests by my front door that have been scared off along with sparrows and other birds because of the Blue Jay. Now there are atleast three birds taking up a home around my house. Someone help me get rid of these birds,
Andrew of San Diego
Post Feedback: Click Here
As a 60 yr. young woman, is it a safe idea to invest in a Roth IRA fund? Exactly what is a Roth IRA, and how does one invest in it? I currently have no pension from a job for when I retire, and very little investment in some mutual funds.
Post Feedback: Click Here
Looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem? Submit your request here: Click Here
Today's Sponsors
Have you surfed all over the internet looking for a simple way to manage your finances? Now you don't need to. Budget Stretcher premium offers everything you need to learn how to get the most out of your money in one place with no ads or popups to deal with. Learn more by clicking on the below link:
http://www.budgetstretcherpremium.com
Advertising information available at:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/advertising.html
More Reading
Green Up Your Garden Organically
By Ellen Brown
An organic garden is a garden that works in cooperation with nature. It minimizes and replenishes the resources it consumes. It's a place where every aspect of the environment; gardener, plant, animal, insect, micro-organism, weather, season, etc., assumes an important role in achieving overall balance with the surrounding ecosystem.
Post Feedback: Click Here
Let others know that you like this Ezine:
Vote For the Daily Thrifty Tips
More Stuff
Coupon Swap!
Swap coupons with other ThriftyFun.com users:
Seed Swap!
Swap seeds with other ThriftyFun.com users:
Tip Contest!
Submit a tip and enter our contest.
Submit a Request
Frugal solutions to everyday problems.
Search ThriftyFun!
Use Google technology to search ThriftyFun.
Like ThriftyFun on Facebook
