Daily Thrifty Tips August 30, 2004

Hello,

Lots of new stuff to announce today. First off, we have created two boards for swapping coupons and seeds. Check them out:

ThriftyFun.com's Coupon Swap

http://www.thriftyfun.com/board_coupons.html

ThriftyFun.com's Seed Swap

http://www.thriftyfun.com/board_seeds.html

We also have created a new board for requests that have not received answers. We call it the Lonely Request board.

Lonely Request Board

http://www.thriftyfun.com/board_lonely.html

We were not able to get our new server installed over the weekend but have scheduled time at our ISP on Tuesday, so the website will be down from 11:00 AM to Noon PST tomorrow.

Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Today's newsletter contains:

Today's Tips:

• Decorating with Wine Bottles
• Solve the "What to pack for lunch?" question.
• Uses for Leftover Coffee
• Make Extra Pie Dough
• Buy Your Clothing in the Back of the Gap
• Save Money on Prom Dresses
• Making Your To-Do List Fun
• Firewood Buying and Storing Tips
• Creative Cleaning Tools
• Feedback: Uses for Film Canisters
• Feedback: Removing Candle Wax From Furniture
• Feedback: Different Ways to Hang Dry Your Clothing
• Feedback: Alternate Uses for Dental Floss
• Feedback: RE: Uses for Metal Ends from Frozen Juice Concentrate Cans
• Today's Recipe: Basic Pesto Recipe

New Requests:

• Feeding 150 People: Primitive Kitchen in Iraq Needs Recipe Ideas
• Are Food Saver Machines Worth It?
• Gnats Coming out of Litter Box
• Yellow Foamy Matter in My Flower Beds
• Looking for Recipes to Help Gain Weight
• Looking for Reception Location in New York
• Flea Problem
• Sanitizing a Used Couch
• Ideas for a 1st Birthday Party Using Little Diecast Cars!
• Yellow Stains Around Heater Vents on Linoleum Floor
• Cleaning Brake Fluid Off Pavement
• Cleaning Caulk at Base of Tub
• Removing Tar from House Siding
• Removing Burn Marks From Stainless Steel Pot

More Reading:

• Candlemaking: Making Use Of Those Little Candle Stubs
• Introducing a New Kitten to Your Older Cat...
• Spiced Iced Coffee
• Easy Beef Roast Slowcooker Recipes
• Saving Money by Saving Water
• Nervous Cats, Winning the Trust of a Timid Cat
• When Coupons AREN'T a Good Deal
• ThriftyFun News August 28, 2004 - Freezing Food
• Wrap Adorable Baby Shower Gifts
• Easy Apple Centerpiece

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Today's Tips

Decorating with Wine Bottles

When I buy a bottle of wine I usually spend more than average, let's say $10-15 because I'm saving the bottle to be used as a flower vase or just for decorating purposes, you should see all the beautiful and unusual bottles I have all over my home, I get compliments all the time, sometimes the wine doesn't taste that good but if the bottle caught my eye, it's sold! By Carmen A. McDonald

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Solve the "What to pack for lunch?" question.

I live too far away from work to go home to eat and I can't afford $3-$4 per day that it takes to go to fast food restaurants. Since I live alone, I only cook 1 day a week, usually on Sunday afternoons. I may make red or black beans and rice, a hamburger helper dish, homemade soup or some other inexpensive, healthy casserole. This I divide into 4-6 plastic containers. Next I divide a jar of applesause or a carton of cottage cheese into additional plastic containers. Often I will make 4-5 containers of jello.

I love salads and will divide those into containers as well. Cutting up fruit (melon, strawberries, etc.) is good when in season. I buy the baby carrots and divide into several zippered bags along with cauliflower, broccoli, celery, pepper sticks... whatever sounds good. If I make biscuits or muffins, I bag them individually and freeze. I then pull my choices for the day from the smorgasbord in my refrigerator. No day's lunch is the same. This also helps to regulate my portion sizes. This would work for anyone who has access to a microwave oven at lunch.

By Sue H

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Uses for Leftover Coffee

When I have leftover coffee I allow it to cool and then refrigerate it. I use it as the liquid when making hermits and also use it to make coffee jello. Yum, yum.

By joesgirl

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Make Extra Pie Dough

Make enough pie dough for several pies. Wrap it in freezer bags before freezing, and it will be handy and ready when the next pie craving hits! While pie crust is one of the many things easy to create, there are advantages for having that task out of the way before preparing the fruit to fill the crust. DeBu Past past-time chef

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Buy Your Clothing in the Back of the Gap

In the back of nearly every Gap clothing store is a clearance rack and it often contains great bargains. If you frequent it regularly you can find a lot of desirable items at 50% or more off their ticket prices. And items that have been on the rack for a long time can get as cheap a few dollars. The back of the Gap can great spot for bargain hunters.

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Saving Money on Prom Dresses

I recently found formal gowns on sale at Hechts for as low as $11.00, yes $11! They are beautiful and if you have an event coming or even a prom next year, you should check it out. These gowns had been in the $240 range, so now they are an absolute steal!

Samantha in NC

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Making Your To-Do List Fun

The "Flash List". This is a game I made up to get five things done really quick. Start by cutting up small pieces of any kind of scrap paper, keep them in a small box on the edge of your desk. When your To Do List seems overwhelming, sit down and write ONLY FIVE THINGS on one of these slips of paper. They can be the smallest of tasks, mixed with maybe one larger task. Don't forget to have at least one of them be a "fun" task, a little reward for yourself. This is now your "Flash List". The game rules are you must do all 5 things before stopping, right in a row, in the order you have written them. If you do that, you WIN! Just adds a little fun to the day's To Do List and helps you prioritize. Have fun! By Jayne

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Firewood Buying and Storing Tips
By Fisher Swanson

Buying Firewood

It's always best to shop for firewood before you need it. Sometimes you can find great deals in the spring and summer, before people are thinking about cool weather and warming their home. Good places to find postings of wood for sale are: Your local newspaper's classified ads. Grocery store, church or post office bulletin boards. Signs posted around the neighborhood.

Most firewood is sold in cords, face cords, ricks or truckloads.

Cord: A cord of firewood measures 8 feet long x 4 feet wide x 4 feet tall.

Face Cord: A face cord is 8 feet long, 4 feet tall but only as wide as one stack of wood. This is usually about half the size of a cord or less.

Rick: A rick is basically a pile, the size can vary quite a bit.

Truck Load: The size of a truck load will depend on how large the truck is and whether it's thrown in the truck or stacked.

Find Dry (Seasoned) Wood

It takes 8 to 12 months to dry (season) wood for burning so unless you have wood on hand already you will want to purchase dry wood. Dry wood burns longer, cleaner and produces greater heat. Unseasoned wood creates a potentially dangerous creosote buildup in your chimney.

Hardwood Burns Longers

When shopping around for wood keep in mind that hardwood is going to burn up to twice as long as softwood. So just because a cord of softwood might be cheaper doesn't mean you are getting a good deal. Softwood is effective for kindling or mixing with hardwood but hardwood will burn longer, tends to burn cleaner and will produce more heat. Examples of softwood: Pine, Fir, Cedar. Examples of hardwood: Oak, Ash, Madrona.

Storing Firewood

Store wood off the ground and protect it from weather.

You will want to store wood about 4 inches off the ground. Any wood on the ground will collect insects and rot more quickly. You will also want to keep it covered from rain and snow.

Keep wood away from the house.

Wood against the side of your house could attract wood loving insects like termites who will start nibbling on your house. It also keeps air from circulating around the wood which will help keep it dry.

Try not to store wood for more than a year once it's dried.

This isn't a hard and fast rule. You can store dry wood for more than a year but at some point it will start to rot and collect tons of insects. Make sure to use your oldest wood first.

Bring wood in as you need it.

While it's nice to have a lot of wood on hand in the house, you inevitably bring in insects even if you clean off the wood. So don't bring more than a days worth of wood into your home at a time. A wood pile in your house is basically a guest room for little critters.

Do you have any more tips to add?

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Creative Cleaning Tools

Used nylons work well for cleaning tubs and sinks that scratch easily. Just use an old pair of a nylons or panty hose and a mild abrasive like baking soda.

An automobile snow brush works for cleaning under the fridge.

A paint brush or old shaving brush works for dusting delicate items.

Old toothbrushes work for scrubbing stubborn grout stains.

You can make a dustcloth with cheesecloth. Create a solution of 2 cups water to 1/2 cup lemon oil. Dip the cheesecloth rag in the solution, ring it out and then hang it to dry. Once it's completely dry it makes an effective dusting rag.

A bottle brush works for cleaning vases.

What are your ideas?

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Feedback: Uses for Film Canisters

I use this to put in my son's backpack with his lunch money for each day. The coins fit in perfectly and I don't have to worry about my son losing his change in his backpack or on the way to school. ... View related article.

By Suzanne S.

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Feedback: Removing Candle Wax From Furniture

My problem was on my carpet - caused by a scented candle blow-out. I didn't have a brown paper bag so I used paper towels instead. The result was nothing short of incredible. I just put the paper towels (three or four thicknesses) on the wax, left the iron on it for a couple of minutes, and presto, chango, the wax was gone! Somehow, it was absorbed by the paper towels! I don't think I've ever had a cleanup job that was easier. I sure wish I would have seen the posts before I had spayed a ton of stain remover and scrubbed part of the carpet away.

By Snyfuss

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Feedback: Different Ways to Hang Dry Your Clothing

We live in a city apartment but I'm from the country and I'm a clothes-hangin' girl! You can buy retractable clotheslines with a hook at one end which you just mount on the wall (make sure you bolt each end to a stable place in the wall, preferably a stud)- just pull out the line and hook it to the opposite wall and you have a nice long clothesline indoors.

I also have a line out on my small 2nd story porch consisting of about 7' of light chain (available by the foot on bolts at the hardware store- inexpensive) strung between two hooks kinda high up near the back of the porch. I just hang wet clothes on hangers in the chain- they are secure and stuff dries nicely in the air. This is also inexpensive and has been so very handy, as we generate way too much laundry every week. I noticed that one of my neighbors has recently copied this idea on her porch.

Just remember to hang the chain line back a ways- they don't want to see your stuff before their eyes whenever they sit on their own porch. And don't hang "unmentionables" outside - keep the clothesline classy!

By Susan

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Feedback: Alternate Uses for Dental Floss

Waxed floss works great for cutting out dinner rolls or cinnamon rolls or sugar cookies. Refrigerate dough to make firm and place floss approx. required distance from end of rolled dough under edge of roll and cross the left side to the right and the right side to the left over the top and pull tightly and it will cut evenly through.

By Tawnda

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Feedback: RE: Uses for Metal Ends from Frozen Juice Concentrate Cans

A few years ago one of my kids' teachers took pictures of each of her students individually and cut a circle around their face and attached them inside the rim of one side of the juice can lid. On the other side she glued a magnet and these hung on her classroom door that was metal. As each kid came into class they took their magnet picture and placed it on her magnetized chalk board as a form of roll call and gave them responsibility lesson as well.

You could do the same at home with a picture from each year for your child. Maybe each birthday take a picture and do that and add to it each year. Use on refrigerator as magnet collection.

By Tawnda

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Other Active Topics

Be sure to check out our active topics page to follow the discussion.

http://www.thriftyfun.com/board.html

Today's Recipe: Basic Pesto Recipe

Easy and tasty pesto recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups basil leaves, tightly packed
• 2 cloves garlic, halved
• 1/2 cup pine nuts, raw or lightly roasted
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
• fresh ground pepper

Directions:

Put the basil, garlic, pine nuts and salt in a food processor and process until smooth. Gradually add olive to the mixture. Put the mixture into a bowl and mix in parmesan cheese and black pepper to taste.

Serve with pasta or store covered in the refrigerator for up to a week. Freeze for longer storage.

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Tip Contest

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In our newest contest we are giving away a digital camera. Submit a tip and you could win... Argus DC 1610: This fun digital still camera combines ease of use, fashion-forward styling and all around value. Quick PC connectivity and one-click controls mean fast, on the go snapshots anytime.

Complete with..

• Status LCD
• 8 MB Internal Memory
• Stores up to 104 Photos
• 3 in 1 Digital Camera: Photo,Web and Video
• USB High Speed Download
• Photo/Video editing software
• 2 x AAA Batteries included

Enter the contest!

New Requests:

Feeding 150 People: Primitive Kitchen in Iraq Needs Recipe Ideas

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am on a mission here in Iraq. My job is to take care of Service Members in a very remote area. I can't give you my exact location but what I am trying to do is bring this area into the 21st century and bring the Iragi kitchen I deal with up to date on some basic American foods. We don't have the modern convenience of a corner grocery store in this area and some ingredients are not available unless we travel to Baghdad, which is a very dangerous area right now.

I am trying to introduce a larger variety of American foods to the menu and find that if I can get scratch recipes to feed 150 people three times a day this would help boost the moral of my Troops and add a touch of home.

I am looking for recipes that can be made fresh and in bulk. I have cooked for groups of about 20 for special family occasions but used my recipes and just cooked all day. We use gas stoves here and also deal in the metric system for measuring, any help you can give in the measuring department would be appreciated.

What I am asking for is some simple Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, along with some simple cake and dessert recipes and different sauces (Canned tomato sauces are not avaiable). We only have the one cook and he does what he can with what he has but we get the same menu everyday and I have to find more variety that would be usable in this enviroment.

Some of the basic things we can get and have on hand are, plain flour, baking powder, salt, peper, eggs, curry, onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, beef, lamb and chicken. Anything your collective minds can come up with would be deeply appreciated. I guess I should also tell you that everything is served buffet style. I hope all this makes sense to you and look forward to your response.

Thank You,

Renee Favors
Site Manager, Iraq

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Are Food Saver Machines Worth It?

I would like feedback on the food saver machines. Do they really do what they say? Is it frugal or expensive to use the bags, canisters, etc.?

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Gnats Coming out of Litter Box

Please help! Our kitten eats Iams food for kittens and it seems that there are little gnats coming out of his litter box. Does anyone know what causes this? - Ana

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Yellow Foamy Matter in My Flower Beds

Something/someone has deposited a yellow foamy matter in my flower beds, and on the side of my garage foundation. Is this animal urine? JK

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Looking for Recipes to Help Gain Weight

I am looking for recipes in which to help put weight on (Yes, on) My boyfriend is recovering from throat cancer and due to radiation cannot eat many types of food. He lost over 35 pounds and he needs the weight back Help! He cannot eat steak, chicken, pork, or ham, unless it is served in a type of gravy or sauce. Jill from Mpls

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Looking for Reception Location in New York

Hi. I am planning a May wedding and want some inexpensive NYC places to hold the ceremony and reception. There will only be about 75 people so I want something intimate. Thanks.

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Flea Problem

I have a little 9 week chihuahua. When we got him he had no fleas, but I have a half german shepherd/husky that lives downstairs so I think he got it from him I was wondering what I can use and will not be harsh on the lil' chihuahua and what can I use for the dog that lives downstairs. I have wooden floors all through the house. What will be a good solution to use to clean the house where the dog has been. Ana

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Sanitizing a Used Couch

Anyone have any tips on sanitizing a used couch I'm receiving? It's a white couch and bleaching it will turn it yellow. It's been in someone's garage for a year but it's in nice condition... I just want to make sure it's sanitized. Thanks! Jessica

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Ideas for a 1st Birthday Party Using Little Diecast Cars!

I posted a few weeks ago about ideas for a 1st birthday party for my son and I have decided to use the little diecast cars like hot wheels and matchbox. I know that I am going to buy the cheap diecast cars, i found somewhere that i can buy 50 of them for like 5.00 which is a really good deal. I am going to put a little car on top of each cupcake but I was wondering does anybody have any more ideas that they would like to give me using this theme? Plates, cups, etc? If you do have any ideas please post them or email me at eescott182002 (at) yahoo (dot) com . Thank you very much! I love Thrifty Fun! Erricka

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Yellow Stains Around Heater Vents on Linoleum Floor

We bought the trailer that we live in from a couple that we know and I did not notice this before we bought it. There is a yellowish stain around the vents on the linoleum floor (kitchen and bathrooms). I have tried everything that I know of to try and get this up. As far as I know there are no leaks or anything because my husband and my father-in-law made checked before we moved in. I am wondering what this is? Did it happen when we moved the trailer to another location? And PLEASE how do I get it up? I need some major help, I hate it on my floors. If you have any suggestions please post it or email it to me at eescott182002 (at) yahoo (dot) com . Thank you very much and I sure hope somebody has some ideas! Erricka

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Cleaning Brake Fluid Off Pavement

I recently moved into a new area which seems like a new planet. We are on a roll lately with problems and have already annoyed a neighbor. All of that aside My sister came to visit and her brake line busted and spilled brake fluid all over the place and I have no clue how to remove it from the pavement. I really do not want any more complaints so if any one has a clue please let me know. Jen from Michigan

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Cleaning Caulk at Base of Tub

I have a Fiberglass tub. However, the glue that adheres to the base has started to turn black and is hard to remove. I've tried everything, can someone provide me with some suggestions on how to clean up this ugly mess. Editor's Note: I believe this request is referring to the caulking at the base of the tub.

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Removing Tar from House Siding

Got tar on my new house siding: Help! -Marianne

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Removing Burn Marks From Stainless Steel Pot

Hi. I was cooking some tea on the range after dinner and completely forgot about it until the morning. By morning, my pot was completely scorched on the inside. Does anyone have any suggestions that might help me remove some of the scorch marks so I can use this pot again? By the way, this pot is stainless steel and pretty large. Any help is appreciated. Esther from IL

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Looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem? Submit your request here: Click Here

More Reading

Candlemaking: Making Use Of Those Little Candle Stubs
By Laura Williams

Making "new" candles from those little candle stubs is an easy way to use them up and get new life or light from them.

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Introducing a New Kitten to Your Older Cat...
By Larry Chamberlain

So, you read somewhere that introducing a new kitten into your home could be great for your existing cat, for companionship. And you remember how much fun your cat was when she was a new kitten, and you would love to re-live those days.

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Spiced Iced Coffee

Put all ingredients in blender container; cover and run on speed 5 (or high) until smooth.  Makes about 3 servings.

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Easy Beef Roast Slowcooker Recipes
By Leslie Sausage

Beef roast has always been a favorite family meal and it's been on sale lately for under $2.00 per pound. Using my favorite kitchen appliance, a delicious meal can be prepared with a minimum of effort.

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Saving Money by Saving Water
By Naomi Knudsen

America has been abundantly blessed with water. Unless you live in a desert area or during a drought, you probably don't think much about conserving water until the water bill arrives. For the past three years, regions of the US have been experiencing a drought making people more aware of their water usage. A few simple practices can minimize your soaking by your local utility company and help conserve water.

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Nervous Cats, Winning the Trust of a Timid Cat
By Larry Chamberlain

Nervous cats hide from people, they do not readily present themselves for petting, and may seem downright scared of you.

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When Coupons AREN'T a Good Deal
By Lana Dorazio

Don't get me wrong, I like coupons. I'm actually a member of a coupon website that helps me to match up my coupons with the best sales of the week! It's a wonderful saving device. However, there are pitfalls to coupon shopping that people fall into. If you are a diehard couponer, you might want to rethink your strategies for a more relaxed and timesaving alternative to couponing.

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ThriftyFun News August 28, 2004 - Freezing Food

Online version of the ThriftyFun News. Freezing Food. Volume Six, Number 33, August 28, 2004

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Wrap Adorable Baby Shower Gifts
By Abigail Beal

Are you going to a baby shower? Gifts for babies are always so cute - here are some ideas to create gift wrapping that is just as adorable as the gift you are giving.

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Easy Apple Centerpiece
By Rachel Paxton

Someone recently shared with me a great, easy idea for making a table centerpiece. All you need to get started is several pounds of Red Delicious apples. The apples you can make into candle holders! All you have to do is use a paring knife to cut a circle out of the top of the apple (removing the stem). Then use a spoon to scoop out enough apple to allow enough room for a votive candle. If you want to use a larger candle, you could scoop out more of the apple. The top of the candle should be flush with the top of the apple.

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Thanks

Susan
http://www.thriftyfun.com